PALM COAST
Matanzas’
Paige Civil used to get in trouble. Now she’s an example to her peers.
PAGE 3B
No more smoking or vaping in city parks
The city ordinance follows the adoption of a law Gov. Ron DeSantis passed in June 2024 that allows municipalities to prohibit smoking in public spaces.
SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
Smoking in Palm Coast’s parks and trails will no longer be allowed. Palm Coast’s City Council approved an ordinance prohibiting smoking and vaping in Palm Coast’s public parks and trails. The ordinance passed in a 4-0 vote. Mayor Mike Norris was absent from the May 20 meeting.
The ordinance is based on a law Gov. Ron DeSantis passed in June 2024 called the Florida Clean Air Act, which allows municipalities to prohibit smoking or vaping tobacco products in public spaces, excluding unfiltered cigars.
“This is really to reduce public exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke,” Parks and Recreation Director James Hirst said. This was the first reading of the ordinance. A second reading and
vote on the ordinance will be had at the city’s next business meeting on June 3.
The ordinance prohibits vaping in general and smoking tobacco products, “including cigarettes, pipe tobacco, filtered cigars,chewing tobacco, snuff, snus, or other plant product intended for inhalation, except for unfiltered cigars.”
City attorney Marcus Duffy said that the law and ordinance also includes marijuana.
Tyrese Gaines, the tobacco policy manager for Tobacco Free Florida, thanked the council for approving the ordinance.
“This, in and of itself, is a huge step,” he said. “Obviously, it is very hard to enforce something like this but I think that it’s the mindset of our leaders — people like you guys [the City Council] — advocating for it is huge and something that we need.”
Flagler County and Flagler Beach have each passed similar ordinances based on DeSantis’ Florida Clean Air Act, Hirst said, as well as some Volusia County municipalities. Flagler Beach also instituted a band on smoking on the beach in 2023.
Councilman Ty Miller said he
has seen adults smoking in the parks at local Little League and other sport matches held in Palm Coast parks.
“I was surprised this didn’t exist already,” Miller said. “I’m glad we have this coming because I absolutely don’t think that should be around children in any way.”
Enforcement would be by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, while repercussions for violating the ordinance would depend on parameters the city manager sets, possibly varying from warnings to trespassing, Duffy said. Miller said it would be incumbent on community partners, especially in the Sports Alliance, to encourage people in their events at Palm Coast Parks adhere to the ordinance.
Vice Mayor Theresa Carli Pontieri suggested that if local sports organizations are not following this ordinance consistently, the city should have the ability to pull their event permits.
“I think that’s a good way to ensure that people are abiding by this ordinance,” she said.
Hirst said the department will work on updating city signs in the parks to include the ordinance number once it goes into effect.
Photo courtesy of Stephen Matteo
City Council reverses decision by planning board, OKs storage facility
The facility will be located on Pine Lakes Parkway, north of Palm Coast Parkway.
SIERRA WILLIAMS
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The Palm Coast City Council has reversed a denial from the city’s planning board, making way for a 850-unit storage facility on Pine Lakes Parkway, north of Palm Coast Parkway.
The council reversed the decision in a 4-0 vote, with Palm Coast Mayor Mike Norris absent from the May 20 meeting. When the application went before the Planning and Land Development Review Board on May 6, city staff said the application met all the technical requirements for approval.
The planning board, though, ultimately voted 4-2 against the application, citing that the proposed project did not meet the criteria to “not be in conflict with or contrary to the public interest,” according to meeting documents. The board felt the project would contribute to “an oversaturation” of storage units in the area, and that the project did not fit with the area’s current walkability and mixed-use potential.
The facility, Hill Pointe Way Self Storage, is 99,500 square feet in size and located near the north intersection of Pine Lakes Parkway and Belle Terre Parkway. In addition to the 850 climate-controlled units, the site will also have 26 RV and boat storage spaces.
The 6.83-acre lot is locat-
ed near several residential neighborhoods. Because it is zoned Commercial 2, which allows for only limited types of commercial development, the applicant filed a special exception application to build the storage unit.
City planner Michael Hanson said staff determined the project met all the criteria for the special exception, including being compatible with public interest. Storage units are generally low-impact, he said, and generate much less traffic than other commercial businesses as well as use much less water, he said.
Vice Mayor Theresa Carli Pontieri asked what proof the planning board had to say that the facility would contribute to an oversaturation in the area. Hanson said there was none, to his knowledge, but said the planning board had asked him to pull up a map showing how many other storage units were in the area. But, Hanson said, he reminded the board that the map didn’t qualify as evidence towards the criteria.
“There’s an existing selfstorage facility already, a third of a mile just to the south of this particular project, that’s been there for a number of years,” Hanson said. “It shows that a self-storage facility can exist within this neighborhood.”
Natalie Smith, representing the Johnson Development, said that the applicant conducted a market analysis study based on a 3-mile radius around the location and found that the market was at 50% for climate-controlled units, based on the population in the area.
Deputy Chief Development Officer Ray Tyner told the council that there is a need for boat and RV storage in the city, since the city code does not allow residents to keep them at their homes.
“We’re a little bit unique in that way, where our citizens need a place to store their boats or their RV for outside storage,” Tyner said. “So as we continue to grow, the need is here.”
Residents ask city to reopen Riverbend
City Commissioners direct staff to ask the FAA if this is possible, and if it is, can the city find an operator?
JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR
Though the City of Ormond Beach is proceeding with finding other uses for the former Riverbend Golf Course next to the airport — one such use being a 67-acre park with running and biking trails — some Ormond Beach residents remain adamant: the property should be reverted back to a golf course.
The Ormond Beach City Commission was set to approve via its consent agenda for its meeting on Tuesday, May 20, a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration containing conceptual designs for the former 172-acre golf course property. The letter asked the federal agency to review the proposed land use concepts for approval. In addition to a park, proposed for land southeast of the airport next to the Tomoka River, the city is seeking approval to add hangars, fixed-base operator facilities and commercial office space to the 58-acres where the golf course clubhouse was previously located.
The last golf course parcel, a 94-acre tract of land between the airport and the Bear Creek community, would remain undeveloped for now, with a potential for additional aviation uses in the future, according to the letter.
However, residents who spoke at the meeting largely echoed the same sentiments: They want Riverbend Golf
Course back, and they don’t want further development at the airport.
“Reopening the golf course would create only income and no expenses for the city,” Bear Creek resident Patricia Franzen said. “Senior adults have no recreation in the city of Ormond Beach. We need your help. There are far more voters who golf than fly out of the airport.”
The Riverbend Golf Course first opened in 1991. It was operated by a private lessee until December 2020 when its last operator, Riverbend Management Group, filed for bankruptcy. In January 2021, the city asked the FAA whether the property could remain a golf course, but in light of the runway extension that was being considered at the time, the FAA responded that it seemed “counter intuitive” for the city to reassign the golf course lease, according to a letter to Airport Manager Steve Lichliter.
Now that the runway extension isn’t happening, Ormond Beach City Commissioners seek a concrete answer from the FAA — can it be a golf course, or not?
And if it can, is there an interest for an operator to take over and perform the needed repairs to the property?
Commissioners voted to send the letter to the FAA, but add a section to inquire specifically about a golf course, though they expressed doubt on whether an operator would want to take over.
“I like the idea of a private entity coming in and taking the golf course and putting it back to what it once was,” Commissioner Harold Briley said. “I don’t think the reality is we’ll find anybody who’s willing to spend that kind of
money and not own the property, because they’ll still have to pay the city a lease. No one’s going to spend $8-10 million to renovate the old golf course and not have ownership of it.” It’s unfortunate that the golf course became abandoned, Briley said, but the lessee was no longer paying the lease to the city or paying property taxes to the county. Since 2018, the city of Ormond Beach has been in a dispute with the Volusia County Property Appraiser over $240,848 of unpaid taxes, which date back to 2013. The city argues that the property was tax exempt, and the property appraiser counters that it lost the exemption when it leased it to a for-profit company. However, tax notices, the city attorney told the Observer in 2022, were sent to the golf course operator, and not the city. The new proposed uses have been in the works for a year. The city held a workshop in May 2024 where the past commission reached a consensus on the park, commercial aviation area and undeveloped green space.
Commissioner Travis Sargent said he asked the city two years ago to put out a request for bids to see if an operator was interested in the golf course. But, he’s not willing to have the taxpayers subsidize the golf course, or have the city spend millions of dollars to repair the facility.
“We are asking someone to invest, or the taxpayers to invest, in the property and someone take it over and they don’t own it,” he said. “And the city of Ormond Beach does not set what that lease would be. The FAA sets that and that price is roughly upwards of $100,000 a year.”
A rendering of the proposed storage unit facility for Pine Lakes Parkway. Courtesy of City of Palm Coast
‘Believe with us’
Pace Center for Girls
Volusia-Flagler surpasses $100K fundraising goal at annual breakfast.
JARLEENE
ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR
The Pace Center for Girls VolusiaFlagler raised $119,590 at its annual “Believing in Girls” breakfast, held at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University on Friday, May 16.
It’s the first time the event’s donations have reached six figures, and the community’s support is coming at a time of transformation for the Ormond Beach school as it moves ahead with constructing a new $6.2 million campus. During the breakfast, Executive Director Sheila Jordan announced that Pace had closed on land for the new 12,000-squarefoot school, to be located at 410 Clyde Morris Blvd. in Ormond Beach.
The school, Jordan said, will allow the Pace Center to not just continue serving its current 52 students, but expand services to 85 girls as well as offer extension services to those who simply need counseling.
The work the Pace does, Jordan said, is about belief and possibilities for the girls.
“We’re helping them believe — believe that something can be dif-
ferent than it has been,” Jordan said.
“And we watch a girl come from ‘I can’t,’ to ‘I think I can,’ to ‘I know I can,’ to ‘I am’ to ‘I did’ and that’s all because we encourage them to believe and to try and try and try again.”
‘I’VE DISCOVERED MY VOICE’
Pace serves middle school and high school girls in Volusia and Flagler County. The girls often need help with academics, and are in need of counseling, social services or mental health resources. A day program, the girls are assigned a counselor and an academic advisor for support as they work toward graduation.
Every year, the breakfast event allows Pace girls to share their stories. This year was no exception.
One student read a poem and three others — all 16-year-olds who are graduating this year — spoke about how the school has helped them. For Jordan, Pace helped her with her depression and anxiety.
“Today, I can proudly say that I’m not the same person who I was when I first walked through those doors,” she said. “I’m more confident, more self aware and more hopeful. I’ve discovered my voice and I’ve learned that it matters.”
Gabby came to Pace when she was 13 years old. She said she had been “falling into the wrong crowd” and making choices that didn’t reflect who she was.
“I was lost, but then I found Pace, or maybe Pace found me,” she said.
“This school didn’t just give me an education, it gave me a second chance. It gave me hope. It gave me the tools to believe in myself when I didn’t know how. The staff here saw potential in me, when I couldn’t see it for myself. They lifted me up, and day by day, helped me build a better me.”
The third girl to speak at the breakfast, Alexis, enrolled in Pace as a sophomore in September 2024. Before coming to Pace, she said she struggled with motivation and selfconfidence, and school felt like a place of anxiety rather than growth.
Pace changed that, she said.
“I am now able to walk into school with confidence,” she said. “I feel
comfortable participating, learning and growing, not just academically, but emotionally and personally. Pace has not only helped me reclaim my education, but it’s also helped me believe in myself for that I will always be grateful.”
It is most rewarding to see the girls’ transformations, said Pace Center teacher Charlene DanielsMcDuffie, who has worked for the nonprofit since 2014. Being part of the team, she said, has allowed her to witness the students’ growth, many of whom have gone on to work in careers in medicine, law, education, counseling, therapy and science.
“Now, please note that the girls would sometimes start out in the program, reluctant, ambivalent, and even resistant to our support, but that’s because our genuine care, love and consideration sometimes was foreign to some of them,” DanielsMcDuffie said.
FROM PACE TO PHD
Before Sajan Green came to Pace in 2015, she was struggling with depression, anxiety and self-harm. At 13, she was smoking and doing drugs, and she and her mom became homeless after her mom’s boyfriend was murdered in their home.
Green dropped out of school. She spent every day smoking marijuana.
Then at 15, she gave school another go, but dropped out once again. She and mother lived in a home with other drug addicts, and Green said it was then that she realized she needed to make a change.
That’s when she found Pace.
“I vividly remembered the day that I got the call,” Green said. “’I got in.’ I remember this day so sweetly, because it was the first time that I felt hope in years. But Pace gave me more than hope. Pace gave me a solid foundation of support that I will continue to build upon for years.”
Green only spent nine months at Pace, but she said the program’s impact “will last a lifetime.”
Now, 10 years later, Green is a third-year doctorate student at
“Today, I can proudly say that I’m not the same person who I was when I first walked through those doors. I’m more confident, more self aware and more hopeful. I’ve discovered my voice and I’ve learned that it matters.”
JORDAN, 16, Pace Center for Girls student
the University of Florida, studying chemical biology and working at the Whitney Laboratory for Marine Sciences in St. Augustine, where she looks for new medicines like antibiotics and cancer treatments derived from natural sources.
“If you had met me 10 years ago and you had seen the teenager that I was, you wouldn’t have looked at me and said I could become a PhD level scientist looking for new drugs to help people, except the people at Pace did,” Green said. “They didn’t see my circumstance. They didn’t see my sometimes bad attitude, and they didn’t see who I statistically should have become. They saw who I could be and they nurtured and supported that girl, and that’s the beauty of Pace. They see a girl for who she can be, and they incessantly fight to get her to see it too.”
IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES
At last year’s breakfast, Jordan said she asked attendees to close their eyes and believe. She asked them to remember Pace’s dedication to
providing girls with support, guidance and opportunities, and see the day-to-day transformation in the students.
Then, she asked them to imagine doing it in a 100-year-old building — one with spotty internet, and one where a hurricane displaced them all to a facility with no walls and one bathroom stall.
Pace is currently located at 208 Central Ave. in Ormond Beach in the former Rigby Elementary school building, which used to be the city’s school for Black students. After Hurricane Ian damaged the school’s roof in 2022, students and staff relocated to the gymnasium at Nova Community Center for eight months.
“And I said, ‘Imagine with me the possibilities of a new place, and in less than a year, we have land for a new place,’” Jordan said. “You believed with us.”
The breakfast was attended by community leaders, elected officials and both the superintendents of Volusia and Flagler Schools.
Volusia County Schools Superintendent Carmen Balgobin congratulated Pace on their work. Speaking directly to the Pace girls, Balgobin said they have a community that believes in them.
“I had a conversation with some of you this morning, and you have great aspirations, and I have no doubt in my mind that every single one of you will excel in those dreams that you have for yourself,” Balgobin said. “And always remember as community members, that when we’re behind our girls and we’re supporting our girls, we will always have a successful community, because you are the bedrock of this community.”
Next year, Pace will be celebrating a major milestone: its 30th anniversary. To mark the occasion, the organization will be hosting an anniversary gala.
“Please continue to believe with us, continue to invest in us, continue to visit us and just stay along the journey,” Jordan said. “It’s going to be incredibly exciting.”
Pace Center for Girls Executive Director Sheila Jordan
A rendering of what the Pace Center for Girls Volusia-Flagler campus will look like. Courtesy of Klar & Klar Architects, Inc.
Pace Center for Girls students are celebrated.
Pace Center teacher Charlene DanielsMcDuffie
Pace Center alumna Sajan Green shares her story.
Pace Center for Girls students. Photos by Jarleene Almenas
Alexis, a student at the Pace Center for Girls, will be graduating in June. She, along with her stepmother, was one of the speakers.
Scott A. Selis, Esq.
Scott A. Selis is an estate planning and elder law attorney with offices in Ormond Beach & Palm Coast. Mr. Selis was an Elder Law Attorney of the Year selected by the Florida Bar’s Elder Law Section in 2016.
If the word probate makes you feel like taking a nap or breaking into a mild sweat, you’re not alone. It sounds like something complicated and expensive—and to be honest, sometimes it is. That’s why so many people want to avoid it. But let’s clear the fog and take a look at what probate is—and why it tends to get such a bad rap.
Probate 101
Probate is the legal process of settling someone’s estate after they pass away. A court steps in to make sure any debts are paid and assets go to the rightful heirs. Sounds reasonable, right? After all, we don’t want Uncle Larry’s coin collection to end up in the wrong hands. The process involves filing paperwork with the court, notifying heirs and creditors, collecting assets, and eventually distributing what’s left. If there’s a will, the court verifies it. If there isn’t, well… that’s when things can get a bit spicy. The state follows a set formula to decide who gets what, and let’s just say it doesn’t usually involve your best friend or your favorite charity.
So why do people try to avoid it?
Because probate can be slow, public, and expensive. It’s like the DMV of estate law—necessary, but not exactly anyone’s idea of a good time. In some cases, it can take months or even years to resolve. Court fees and legal costs can chip away at the estate’s value, and everything might become a matter of public record. So yes, that means your nosy neighbor might see what you left to whom.
Avoiding probate doesn’t mean dodging the law—it means planning smartly. Tools like living trusts, joint ownership, and beneficiary designations can help your assets pass directly to loved ones without court interference.
Think of probate like a toll road: sometimes it’s the only way through—but with a good map (ahem, an estate plan), you can often take a quicker, cheaper route.
Flagler Teacher of the Year is a state finalist
Brandy Anderson teaches seventh-grade civics at Indian Trails Middle School.
Flagler County Teacher of the Year Brandy Anderson has been named one of five finalists for the 2026 Florida Teacher of the Year award, Flagler Schools announced. Anderson, a seventh-grade civics teacher at Indian Trails Middle School, was selected as a finalist from among the state’s 76 district teachers of the year. The 2026 Teacher of
the Year will be announced in July.
Florida Department of Education representatives and Flagler Schools officials walked in on Anderson’s civics class on May 15 to surprise her with the news of her selection.
“Congratulations to Ms. Anderson for being named a 2026 Teacher of the Year finalist,” Florida Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. said in a press release. “Ms. Anderson has set an incredible example for other teachers to follow and her commitment to her students is apparent.”
After she was nominated by ITMS for Flagler’s Teacher of the Year honor, Anderson told the Observer that she learned
early on during her 16-year teaching career that relationships are everything in the classroom.
“My favorite thing about teaching is the kids,” she said. “They are my ‘why.’ The relationships you build over the
school year become meaningful, and they make everything great about waking up in the morning and coming to school.”
Anderson was announced as Flagler County’s Teacher of the Year on Jan. 28 during the district’s annual Teacher and Employee of the Year Gala at the Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center.
“As a civics teacher at Indian Trails Middle School, Brandy encourages a deep understanding of government and civic responsibility within her students, as well a passion for critical thinking,” Flagler Schools Superintendent LaShakia Moore said in a district press release. “Brandy is a role model of integrity, resilience and passion for education.”
The five finalists made it through three rounds of
selections from among nearly 175,000 public school teachers. A committee of teachers, principals, parents and business leaders selected the finalists on the basis of teaching and communicating the subject, professional learning and school and community service, according to the press release.
The winner will serve for one year as the Christa McAuliffe Ambassador for Education and will represent the FLDOE and teachers throughout the state.
Anderson holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Kent State University and earned her AVID certification, the Gifted Endorsement and the Civics Seal of Excellence. She also serves as the ITMS Social Studies Department chair and is the school’s assistant track and field coach.
Volusia County Schools to update impact fees
The school district expects the calculation of students living in multifamily units and mobile homes to increase.
JARLEENE ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR
Volusia County Schools is due for an impact fee study in 2026, and district staff is expecting the study will show that there are more students today living in multifamily units and mobile homes compared to 10 years ago.
During a workshop on planning for student growth and the school concurrency process on Tuesday, May 13, district staff reported that the number of students living in multifamily units was up 31% in 2022 from 2013, based on the previous impact fee study’s student generation rate, which calculates how many students would likely be generated per 100 dwelling units. Students living in mobile homes units were also up 44% from 2013.
At the same time, the 2022 study found that the number of students in single-family homes was down 15% from 2013.
“Over the past few years of this impact fee study, [the student generation rate] has changed as the demographics have changed,” said James Roberts, Planning and GIS specialist for VCS.
In years prior, multifamily developments in Volusia County traditionally didn’t generate many students, but that has changed significantly, Roberts said, adding that impact fee studies can only capture what is happening at the moment.
“They can’t predict what’s going to happen in the future, so we can only adjust with those impact fee studies based on what’s come before,” he said.
VCS adopted its current impact fees in January 2023, and they went into effect on April 24, 2024. They are:
Single-family: $7,022.70
Multi-family: $3,728.95
Mobile homes: $1,415.25
When compared to other school districts,VCS’ impact fees for single-family homes are somewhere in the “middle of the road,” Roberts said. On the higher end, Osceola County Schools’ impact fees are $12,923 for single-family. On the lower end, Marion County Public Schools’ is $4,307. Neighboring Flagler Schools’ impact fees are $5,450. The district’s consultant for the 2022 study recommended higher impact fees — over $8,000 for single-family, over $4,000 for multi-family and over $1,600 for mobile homes.
The Volusia County School Board opted to adopt lower fees.
“It was a tough subject,” said Chair Jamie Haynes, who along with Board member Ruben Colon, are the only ones still in office. “But I still think that we did the right thing at that point, because based on the data that we had, we needed single-family homes.” Haynes said she believed the shift to multifamily and mobile homes is due to the lack of affordable housing. In the last few years, several new apartment developments have been constructed in the county, and most notably, along LPGA and Williamson Boulevard.
“I’m running into a lot of families that that’s what they’re doing, and/or they relocated to Florida, and that’s what they were used to doing from one of the large cities where they lived — was renting apartments,” she said. “So I think it’s going to continue to change.” Haynes also noted, however, that there are several single-family home communities in the works, particularly in the Ormond Beach area. These include Ormond Crossings, Avalon Park and Ormond Station, an upcoming development within the Flagler County portion of Hunter’s Ridge, whose students will be allowed to attend Volusia schools, per a recently approved interlocal agreement.
The school district plans to form a committee and hire a consultant by winter 2025.
(left to right) Florida Department of Education Senior Chancellor Paul Burns, Indian Trails Middle School Assistant Principal Katie Hansen, ITMS teacher Brandy Anderson, Flagler Schools Superintendent LaShakia Moore and School Board member Lauren Ramirez. Courtesy photo/Flagler Schools
Flagler County approves two more final plats for Veranda Bay
The commissioners approved the final plats in a 3-0 vote, though they did have flooding concerns.
JARLEENE
ALMENAS MANAGING EDITOR
Despite having some reservations concerning flooding, the Flagler County Commission approved two final plats on Monday, May 19, for phases of the upcoming Veranda Bay development.
The 3-0 approval of the final plats, for 65 lots is Phase 2B and 59 lots in Phase 2C, also included the acceptance of draft performance and maintenance bonds — about $341,000 for the performance bond, $707,000 for the maintenance bond and $878,000 for the performance bond for the roadway connecting Phases 1A and 2B of Veranda Bay. These bonds were made between developer Palm Coast Intracoastal LLC and the county for security regarding the completion of site improvements for Veranda Bay. Commissioners Leann Pennington and Pam Richardson were absent.
The Flagler County Commission previously approved the preliminary plats for six phases of the almost 900acre Veranda Bay development in 2020. A total of 335 lots have been platted since, meeting the concurrency requirement for construction of the spine road and the golf course, which the Planned Unit Development outlined as taking place prior to the platting of 453 lots, of which 150 could be multifamily.
“Certainly, that’s still potentially possible on the remainder here on the east side, or something for the west,” County Growth Management Director Adam Mengel said. “But as of this point, the completion of these two final plats finishes out what we have previously approved for the preliminary plat.”
Commissioner Greg Hansen said he wasn’t convinced that the developer had addressed his flooding concerns on the property.
“I’ve been out there, watched heavy rainfall, and it’s going to leave the property,” Hansen said. “And they’ve assured me that it’s not going to leave the property, but it’s going to leave the property and affect their neighbors.”
Hansen said he’ll be watching that issue closely, as he doesn’t trust the assurances made by the development’s engineer. During heavy rains, Hansen said, the water flows to the north.
Flagler Beach resident San-
dra Schultheiss attested to this. She resides south of the Veranda Bay property on John Anderson Highway, and said the residents on the north side are experiencing flooding. So is she.
“There is a huge drainage problem on this property, and they’re never going to build a golf course — Don’t let them fool you on this,” Schultheiss said. “...This is over development at its worst.”
Attorney John Tanner, representing Preserve Flagler Beach & Bulow Creek Inc., asked the board to table the item at the meeting, seeing as only three of its five members were present. He cited citizen concerns on flooding and “vagueness” of the developer’s plans
“John Anderson Scenic Highway is unique,” Tanner said. “If this type of development continues at this level, in this area, I fear that it’s going to be faced with a prospect of being compelled, or perhaps, even forced to four lane John Anderson Highway, which would totally ruin the scenic aspect of John Anderson.”
Attorney Michael Chiumento, on behalf of the developer, said the Veranda Bay development has gone through about 20 hours of hearings and four different approval processes, and spent about $20 million for the development’s infrastructure. The final pat is the end of the first part of the construction process.
“I wanted to make sure that, not only you all were on the same page of what we were doing today, but the community understood that this is the last piece — making you see that the box of Legos has been assembled correctly,” Chiumento said. “There’s a bond out there to ensure all the infrastructure has its warranty.”
If people are experiencing flooding today, Commissioner Kim Carney asked Chiumento when they would have the chance to address it. Chiumento said detailed analysis addressing stormwater have long been approved.
“Just to be very simple, both state and federal law prohibit any development, including this development, to allow their water to go off site and flood adjacent properties,” Chiumento said. “... Obviously, during the hurricane, there was flooding, but I think that happened all along, and I don’t know that there’s any indication or studies that even suggest that this project floods those people.”
Carney said that while the development is “high scale,” it’s “over development.” If people are saying their properties are flooding, the county needs to deal with it.
“Their plan says that no water will leave that development. ... So, I’m waiting to see, but I think it behooves us to watch it very closely to make sure that there is no flooding, north or south.”
GREG HANSEN, Flagler
County Commissioner
“Somebody’s going to lie that their that their home is flooding or or there’s flooding in their driveway? That doesn’t make sense,” she said.
Flagler County attorney Sean Moylan said the commission’s hands are tied on the matter. The county defers to the St. Johns Water Management District for stormwater standards, and if the commission seeks to instate more stringent standards, they can do so through the comprehensive planning process.
“As your legal counsel, I have to tell you that if you find that [the final plat] meets the statutory requirements, you must approve it, or else you’re putting us in legal jeopardy,” Moylan said. “You’d put us in a lawsuit that would be difficult to win.”
Chair Andy Dance said the commission has had a lot of conversations about implementing more stringent stormwater standards, and that it should be a priority for the commission.
“But, there have been instances where the state Legislature has overridden those as well, so it’s a constant battle with home rule,” Dance said.
Hansen said he will give the developer the “benefit of the doubt” until Veranda Bay is finished.
“Their plan says that no water will leave that development,” he said. “It flows from one pond to the next pond and then to the intercostal waterway, if it really overflows. So, I’m waiting to see, but I think it behooves us to watch it very closely to make sure that there is no flooding, north or south.”
BRIEFS
Lenny’s Pizza owner arrested on drug charges
Lenny’s Pizza owner Leonard Fries Jr. was arrested last week by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office on several drug charges after detectives seized cocaine and almost a kilogram of marijuana.
The FCSO Special Investigations Unit, SWAT team, and the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, joined by Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly, served a narcotics-related search warrant at Fries’ home on Winchester Road in the Ormond Beach area of Flagler County in the early morning of May 16. According to a press release, in addition to drugs, detectives also seized seven firearms, three vehicles and over $5,000 in cash. Fries, 49, was arrested on multiple drug charges and resisting arrest without violence. He was transported to jail.
Fries owned two Lenny’s Pizza locations in Ormond Beach: One at 298 S. Nova Road, and another at 1456 Ocean Shore Blvd.
Flagler Palm Coast Kiwanis honors law enforcement
Flagler Palm Coast Kiwanis held its annual Law Enforcement Recognition Luncheon on Wednesday, May 14, to honor an officer from each Flagler County agency. Kiwanian Frank Consentino conducted the awards ceremony. Flagler Beach Police Chief Matthew Doughney introduced Morgan Snyder as Flagler Beach’s Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. Snyder, who has been in the department since 2023, has made 16 DUI arrests so far
4th Annual Saturday, May 24, 2025 10 am -1 pm
this year, Doughney said.
Safety Officer Rommel Scalf is Bunnell’s recipient, Police Chief Dave Brannon announced. Scalf, a former law enforcement officer in Holly Hill, serves in a civilian role as an instructor, working in evidence and records and as a street crossing guard. He will soon be providing firearms instruction.
Sheriff Rick Staly introduced Flagler County Sheriff’s Office recipient Master Deputy Nick Champion, who came to the FCSO from Holly Hill Police Department in 2017. Champion is a School Resource Officer at FPC High School and a K-9 Officer with a dog that detects explosives. He also revitalized the Explorer program, which allows young people to learn more about a career in criminal justice, the rule of law and good citizenship. Next month, Champion will receive the National Sheriffs’ Association’s 2025 Law Enforcement
511 Old Kings Rd. S. Flagler Beach
• $10 entry fee
• Free admission & lunch at noon.
• Music by DJ Frank Roberts and prizes
• Bring school supplies for the Flagler County Education’s STUFF bus.
• Fundraiser for Wreaths Across America
• Questions, please contact Matt Maxwell 386.439.5400
Explorer Post Advisor of the Year award.
Sheriff Staly spoke about crime being down more than 50% since 2017. However, with a county population of 140,000 people, there were about 3,000 arrests made last year by the three departments. Those included 162 for DUI. The jail has also won awards for its programs to help inmates change their lives. Inmates can earn a GED and also can participate in a culinary program coordinated with a local restaurant. After completing that program, the individual is licensed by the state to work as a cook upon release. Staly said the jail is certified by ICE as a detainee jail.
Jail in Daytona Beach now offers inmates a barber training program
The Volusia County Branch Jail in Daytona Beach has begun offering its inmates a new trade skill program on May 5: barber training.
The program stems from a partnership between Volusia County and Daytona State College and provides handson instruction and technical knowledge to help participants prepare for the state license exam, a county press release said. The program teaches a structured curriculum covering hair-cutting techniques, customer service and sanitation practices.
Participants train three days a week for four hours per day over a six-week period. The pilot program has
COPS CORNER
MAY 7
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
7:07 p.m. — 1500 block of San Marco Drive, Ormond Beach Vandalism. Police responded to an apartment complex after an employee reported that a tenant’s 11-year-old son had been vandalizing fire extinguishers and pulling on fire escape signs.
The employee told the reporting officer that the apartment complex wished to pursue charges and said a neighbor had a video of the alleged incident as evidence. The officer then spoke with the neighbor, who said they had an ongoing problem with kids damaging property.
The footage provided to police showed the boy walking toward the fire extinguisher box on the wall, touching it and looking inside, before he walked away. The neighbor said that after the video was taken, on March 4, he inspected the fire extinguisher and noticed its plastic lid was on the ground. However, the the boy was not seen removing it.
The officer spoke with the
eight inmates participating, the press release said.
“This program is about more than just learning how to cut hair — it’s about giving these individuals a second chance,” said Volusia County Corrections Director Joe DeMore.
Palm Coast to charge fees for card payments beginning June 1
Palm Coast will begin charging processing fees for credit, debit card and ACH/eCheck payments starting June 1.
The fees will apply to both online and in-person payments for a variety of city services, including utility bills, code enforcement fines, business licenses, building and planning permits, business inspection fees and other payments, a Palm Coast press release said.
The fees were absorbed by the city in the past, but the city will begin passing them along to customers “as part of Palm Coast’s cost management and fiscal responsibility strategy.”
No fees will be charged for the following payment methods: cash, personal or company checks, money orders or bill payments initiated directly through the bank. The change is projected to save the city $700,000 annually, the press release said. The discussion on changing the fee system occurred at the Feb. 18 Palm Coast City Council meeting. Below is the fee structure changes, effective June 1:
boy’s mother, who believed he had committed the crime.
MAY 8 ONLINE THREATS
1:42 p.m. — First block of Choctaw Trail, Ormond Beach Harassing call. A 31-year-old Ormond Beach woman told police that she and another woman (“the suspect”) used to play “Call of Duty” and make streaming videos together, but that one day, the suspect started to make videos to harass her. Unsure of the woman’s real name, police made attempts to identify her using two “heavily filtered” photos, but were unsuccessful.
MAY 12
STEP ON IT
2:18 p.m. — Intersection of Palm Coast Parkway and Pine Lakes Parkway, Palm Coast Tampering with evidence in criminal proceeding. Deputies pulled over a 42-year-old Palm Coast man for having a dark window tint and driving without his headlights while it was raining.
The deputy observed the man, who was sitting in the driver side rear passenger seat, “moving frantically within the vehicle.” The deputy asked him why he was
State Sen. Travis Hutson joins St. Johns Clerks Office Former
Hutson will be joining the St. Johns County Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Comptroller’s Office as senior advisor for intergovernmental affairs, effective May 19, according to a press release. Hutson represented
7
Flagler, St. Johns and northern Volusia counties in the State Senate from 2016-24. He served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2012-16. Send news tips to brent@ observerlocalnews.com.
moving so much, to which the man said he had dropped his ash tray and there were ashes everywhere.
The deputy noted a slight odor of burnt cannabis coming from the car, and spotted an ash tray and half-burnt blunt on the floor. He watched as the man tried to destroy the blunt with his foot. He was taken to jail.
MAY 17 DOMESTIC DISPUTE 9:10 p.m. — First block of Forest Hill Drive, Palm Coast Battery on a law enforcement officer. A 51-year-old Palm Coast woman called deputies, wishing for her boyfriend to leave her home. The boyfriend told deputies that the woman had seen him texting a friend and assumed it had been another woman, at which point she punched him in the face and took his cell phone. The man had no visible injuries.
As the deputy was speaking with him, the woman began yelling at him to leave. A deputy instructed her to stop yelling, but the woman told him this was her house and the deputy couldn’t tell her what to do. She then slapped him on his left forearm. She was taken to jail.
Flagler Playhouse to return to new a black box theater at its old annex
Playhouse’s Penguin Project and Indian Trails Middle School will also both perform Aladdin Jr. sharing cast members and costumes.
BRENT WORONOFF
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
The Flagler Playhouse is back. After a fire destroyed its theater in October, 2023, the Playhouse finished its season at Matanzas High School, and then the theater troupe went into hibernation — except for the Playhouse’s annual Penguin Project show.
Flagler’s third Penguin Project presentation — “Disney’s Aladdin Jr.” — is scheduled for June 6-8 in the Bunnell Elementary School cafeteria.
On June 12-15, the Playhouse will present “The Fan-
UPCOMING SHOWS
INDIAN TRAILS MIDDLE
SCHOOL
WHAT: Aladdin Jr.
WHERE: Matanzas High
School’s Pirate Theater
WHEN: Thursday, May 22 and Friday, May 23, 7 p.m. each night. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
TICKETS: $10. https://bit.
ly/4jizc9T
FLAGLER PENGUIN
PROJECT
WHAT: Aladdin Jr.
WHERE: Bunnell Elemen-
tasticks” at the annex building that was next to its former theater.
The side building had been used for props and storage, Flagler Playhouse President Jerri Berry said. The bottom floor has been transformed into meeting space and a 50-seat black box theater.
The Playhouse will use the space going forward until it figures out what the next phase of its rebuild will look like, Berry said.
“(This) phase was the easiest to do,” Berry said. “It took a couple of years, but it was easiest. There’s good structure in that building.”
ALADDIN ON TWO STAGES
The Playhouse’s Penguin Project and Indian Trails Middle School are both presenting Aladdin Jr., and they are sharing costumes, cast members, props and a choreographer.
“It’s happenstance we were doing the same production,” Berry said.
tary School
WHEN: Friday, June 6, Saturday, June 7, 7 p.m. each night. Sunday, June 8, 2 p.m.
TICKETS: $21.50 with fees. https://www.flaglerplayhouse.org/aladdin-jr
FLAGLER PLAYHOUSE
WHAT: The Fantasticks WHERE: 50-seat theater in former Flagler Plahouse annex building
WHEN: June 12-13, 7:30 p.m.; June 14, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; June 15, 2 p.m.
TICKETS: $31.50, https:// www.flaglerplayhouse.org/
The Indian Trails theater students will perform Aladdin Jr. at Matanzas High School’s Pirate Theater on May 22-23 at 7 p.m. each night. Tickets are $10.
Trevette Perry will play Aladdin in the Indian Trails show. When the Penguin Project lost its Aladdin, Perry volunteered to take over the
role in that presentation also, which means double rehearsals. But he’s excited about performing in both, ITMS Theater/Chorus Director Kassy Pierre Louis said.
“I’d say he’s more than excited,” she said. “His father loves theater, and he said he’s trying to follow in his footsteps.”
Indian Trails and the Penguin Project are sharing choreographer Valorie Betts, though the choreography is different in each show. The two presentations are using costumes provided by Matanzas theater teacher James Brendlinger, who owns a costume rental shop.
Several of the Indian Trails’ Aladdin Jr. cast members are mentors for artists in the Penguin Project show, Berry said.
“The Jafar in their show is the mentor for our little Jafar,” Berry said.
The Penguin Project pro -
vides children with developmental disabilities the opportunity to get involved in theater arts. Each artist is joined on stage by a peer mentor. The artists in the Flagler Penguin Project production range in age from 8 to 24.
There are 35 cast members in the Penguin Project’s Aladdin, including artists and peer mentors.
The Penguin Project, which began in Peoria, Illinois, in 2004, got its name from a bird that can’t fly, yet its spirit soars.
Berry said Flagler’s Penguin Project is her passion project.
NEW BEGINNING FOR PLAYHOUSE
Berry is also excited about the first show in the new theater, which is one-third the size of the former theater, a longtime Bunnell landmark that previously had been a church.
The Fantasticks will be the
first Flagler Playhouse show since May, 2024.
“I think people are going to enjoy the new space,” she said. The Fantasticks is the world’s longest running musical. The off-broadway production ran for 42 years from 1960 to 2002. Veteran director Les Ober will direct the Flagler Playhouse presentation.
“Les always has great vision. He’s a super director,” Berry said.
enter the “Prayer Zone,” Satan will fight you at every turn. But when you stand in the name of Jesus, the powers of darkness will retreat and you’ll prevail. So the Bible says, “Pray without ceasing.” That means pray every day,
Nolan Lore plays the Genie in the Penguin Project’s Aladdin Jr.
Ethan Lore plays Babkak is the Penguin Project’s Aladdin Jr.
Alex plays Prince Abdullah in the Penguin Project’s Aladdin Jr. Images courtesy of Jacquelyn Rivers, Riverlilly Photography
Trevette Perry will play Aladdin in both the Indian Trails Middle School and Penguin Project performances.
OPINION
Mayor Norris’ actions have disrupted city’s operations
After investigation, rather than being reflective, Norris has abandoned key mayoral responsibilities.
CHARLES A. GAMBARO
PALM COAST CITY COUNCIL, DISTRICT 4
As your City Councilman, I feel compelled to address the deeply concerning situation currently unfolding in our city government. Recent events have created significant disruption to our city’s operations, damaged public trust and diverted valuable attention and resources away from the important work of serving our residents. It is with a heavy heart but a firm commitment to transparency that I share these thoughts with you today.
I joined the Palm Coast City Council in full accordance with all established city and state procedures through a process that was carefully designed and unanimously approved by the previous council. My appointment followed all legal requirements and proper protocols as outlined in our City Charter and state law.
Despite this lawful and
LETTERS
‘Quid pro quo:’ yet another controversy involving the mayor
Dear Editor: In yet another controversy regarding Mayor Norris, now we are presented with vague and veiled allegations of corrupt behavior by a mysterious unnamed developer. The mayor cryptically refers to it as a “quid pro quo” offer made to him, but thus far has not been forthcoming with the details and refuses to do so, other than to say it relates to the city’s Comprehensive Plan for area development. Given that he believes the incident is worthy of a law enforcement referral, it must be his assessment that it is criminal in nature. And, although he’s content with just teasing us about what actually occurred, it’s reasonable to conclude it’s bribery. And that’s a big deal. Why he opted to offer only hints that are likely to stir up the rampant ongoing corruption conspiracy theory rhetoric and hysteria is unclear. But, drawing the conclusion that that was his intent would be reasonable. When asked about any existing documentation, Norris surprisingly responded that none at all exists because it’s all “in his mind” and, in a rather snide and threatening tone, dared a constituent who inquired about evidence and documents to “try and get it if you like.”
It’s further reasonable to presume that any law enforcement agency would be reluctant to act solely upon what has been stored in his and his wife’s mind for months. Why, immediately after the alleged bribe attempt, Norris didn’t head straight to the authorities is a mystery in need of an explanation. Also complicating any meaningful law enforcement referral is that he blurted out publicly, accidentally or otherwise, who the suspects are by referring
transparent appointment, Mayor Norris has chosen to file a frivolous lawsuit against the city he was elected to serve, the Supervisor of Elections who upholds our democratic processes, and myself personally. This unprecedented legal action appears to be nothing more than a calculated attempt to deflect attention from the serious and well-documented concerns about his own troubling conduct in office since taking the oath in November of 2024. The facts in this matter speak clearly for themselves and have been documented through proper channels. An independent and thorough investigation confirmed that Mayor Norris attempted to force the resignation of senior city staff without council approval or knowledge — a clear and direct violation of our City Charter which explicitly outlines the separation of powers within our government.
This comprehensive investigation, conducted with the utmost professionalism and impartiality, led to a formal ethics complaint signed by four Council members and culminated in an official vote of no confidence and censure in April 2025. These were not actions taken lightly, but were necessary responses to protect the integrity of our city government.
Rather than addressing these substantiated findings in a constructive and reflective manner, Mayor Norris has responded by systematically abandoning key mayoral
responsibilities that our citizens expect and deserve. He has publicly refused to fulfill council liaison appointments — duties that are essential for coordination between the council and various city departments and community organizations.
Even more troubling, he has physically removed his belongings from the shared council office, symbolically and literally withdrawing from collaborative governance. These actions represent a troubling and unprecedented abdication of the fundamental duties he swore to uphold when taking office and deprive our citizens of full representation in their government.
Perhaps most concerning to many residents and officials alike is the consistent pattern of behavior that has emerged throughout Mayor Norris’ brief tenure. The mayor has repeatedly made unsubstantiated and serious accusations against respected local business leaders without providing evidence when requested. He has promoted unfounded conspiracy theories involving federal agencies supposedly targeting him personally, creating unnecessary alarm and division within our community. Furthermore, he has engaged in inappropriate personal attacks against fellow council members on social media platforms, referring to duly appointed officials as “illegal and illegitimate.” These attacks undermine the very foundation of civil discourse
that effective governance requires.
It’s worth noting that even Sheriff Staly has publicly cautioned the mayor about the seriousness of making criminal accusations without supporting evidence — a warning that speaks volumes about the gravity of this situation.
Palm Coast deserves and should demand leadership that unites our diverse community rather than divides it, that builds productive relationships rather than tears them down and that focuses on solutions rather than creating new problems. Our growing city faces real and complex challenges that require thoughtful collaboration among elected officials, professional city staff, community organizations and engaged citizens.
The current atmosphere of hostility and distrust created by the mayor’s actions makes addressing these challenges unnecessarily difficult and threatens the progress we’ve worked so hard to achieve together over many years of community building.
I want to assure all residents that I remain steadfastly committed to working constructively with all stakeholders to address the important issues facing our community. This includes improving infrastructure, ensuring public safety, promoting economic development, protecting our natural environment and maintaining the quality of life that has attracted so many to call Palm Coast home.
My commitment to these priorities remains unwavering despite the distractions created by the current situation. I believe deeply in Palm Coast’s tremendous potential and will continue to serve with the same dedication, integrity and collaborative spirit that I have brought to my previous roles in public service both in our community and in service to our nation. With sincere respect and commitment to our shared future.
Editor’s Note: After filing the lawsuit seeking to remove Councilman Gambaro, Norris’ attorney, Anthony Sabatini, told the Observer that Gambaro’s appointment should have ended on Election Day, Nov. 5, 2024, in accordance to City Charter.
“The charter says that the tenure of the person you appoint ends on Nov. 5,” Sabatini said. “So on Nov. 5, whether they called the election or not, Gambaro — his tenure ended on the General Election Day.”
After a hearing was set for July 3 on the lawsuit, Norris wrote on his Facebook page, “We are confident given the responses from the judge that on July 4th 2025, the un-elected and illegitimate Gambaro will be removed from the council.”
In an interview with the law firm that conducted the investigation on accusations that Mayor Norris violated the City Charter, Norris said, “There has been a lot of confusion surrounding a conversation I had with
to two developers who were included as witnesses in the recent Ethics Commission complaint filed by the City Council against him for a Charter violation and other issues.
From what little we know about the allegation, coupled with how the mayor has handled it thus far, unfortunately garners little in the way of credibility. And openly tantalizing the City Council and the public with serious, but intentionally cryptic criminal allegations, is irresponsible and reckless.
If something eventually pans out and his allegations are proven to have merit, so be it, but at this time, given the curious timing of this bribery bombshell, there is a nagging feeling that this may turn out to be viewed as just an opportunistic diversion from the Ethics Committee complaint he is currently facing.
BOB GORDON Palm Coast
Pests and diseases among issues with backyard chickens
Dear Editor: I have an idea. Instead of the residential backyard chicken coop “pilot study” proposed by the Palm Coast City Council, all five City Council members should build chicken coops in their own backyards and after around a year, render their opinions.
And make sure, during hurricane season they are prepared to shelter them inside their own home or else the poor chickens and their coop may end up in Georgia. And they should get honest feedback from their neighbors including their tolerance for chicken droppings odor and also do a headcount of the rodents that the coop attracts, the number of chicken-loving predators that show up, along with
the number of flies, roaches, ants, lice and fleas. And per the CDC, they should make sure children under 5, who are more susceptible to the various diseases chickens carry, stay away. They could further toss in a cost/benefit analysis including the price and effort to build a decent coop, the ongoing cost of chicken feed and nesting material, the time spent regularly cleaning the cage, and the number of eggs four chickens actually produce.
The backyard chicken dwelling idea is so farcical, for so many reasons, I’m actually a bit embarrassed to write about it.
LEN KORMAN Palm Coast
Mayor suing city is a new low for Palm Coast
Dear Editor:
So, I heard that Palm Coast Mayor Norris is suing the city. Seriously? He behaved badly at work, thus creating a hostile workplace. But instead of resigning, he manufactured a “distraction,” by filing a lawsuit. This is a new low for Palm Coast. It’s no surprise that we can’t attract a qualified city manager. And frankly, the only folks who should be filing lawsuits are the victims of Mike Norris. I emailed Governor DeSantis about this debacle last week. Today, I will follow up with written letters and phone calls to Tallahassee. Mayor Norris is a true hazard to our great city, and if he won’t resign, Governor DeSantis needs to remove him.
ROBERT KARROS Palm Coast
A civics lesson and the Ormond mayor
Dear Editor: I am no expert on politics, but because I do have a
pretty good understanding of municipal government, I thought it would be helpful to provide somewhat of a civics lesson, especially given the recent controversy about the Ormond Beach mayor’s actions.
Here is my disclaimer though: This is not an attack on the mayor. I don’t know the mayor.
Ormond operates under the city manager form of municipal government, wherein there is a 1) City Commission, 2) city manager and a 3) city attorney.
Key point: Places like Orange County have a “strong mayor” form of government. We do not.
Our City Commission consists of five equal voting members, four commissioners and one mayor.
As the City Commission, by majority vote of the five, they hire the city manager, adopt the budget created by the manager, pass laws and ordinances, and set policy.
Under Florida state law, no one on the commission may direct city staff. It would be a crime if they did.
Everything goes through the manager.
The city manager, like all the good ones, stays invisible and runs the business of government. They create the budget and importantly, prepare the commission agenda.
Our municipal code states that the mayor “is the head of city government for all ceremonial purposes” and “represents the city in all agreements with other governmental entities.”
Here is where the mayor may have a misunderstanding of what “represents” means. It means representing the city’s position, which can only be established by the commission.
Hopefully our current mayor will come to realize he has mistakenly overstepped his authority and will join with the full commission in the future.
I hope this helps.
STAN DRISCOLL Ormond Beach
Mayor Leslie’s accountability
Dear Editor: Mayor Jason Leslie’s April 14 negative comments to the First Step Shelter board completely misrepresented the Ormond Beach history of strong support, so much so that Executive Director Victoria Fahlberg and board member Bill Milano felt compelled to come to the city to address the May 6 commission meeting and seek clarification.
All four commissioners refuted the mayor’s false claims reported verbatim in local newspapers, and the commission’s unconditional votes of confidence were put in a letter to the First Step board at the suggestion of Commissioner Travis Sargent. Mayor Leslie did not verbally endorse this written communication and remained silent until the end of the meeting, when he referenced challenges to his misrepresentations as “finger-pointing.”
Upon receiving the city’s glowing letter of support at their May 12 meeting, the First Step board thanked the City Commission, not Mayor Leslie, as he claims. At that meeting, Leslie made no attempt to explain the letter’s clear rejection of the positions he had falsely attributed to the Ormond Beach City Commission a month earlier.
In his May 15 Observer response, Mayor Leslie still does not deny or acknowledge his false representations, which have diminished the credibility of our city government. The mayor believes he is under “attack” when he is simply being held accountable for his public statements.
We in the community need Mayor Leslie to succeed so that Ormond Beach can succeed. As spokesperson and the face of our city, the mayor’s continued miscommunications undermine that success. We continue to plead for him to unify and lead all of us, not just a handful of negative supporters.
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(Intern City Manager) Lauren Johnston and (Chief of Staff) Jason DeLorenzo. I want to be clear: I did not demand their resignations.” Instead, he said, “I requested their resignations.”
In achieving and maintaining fragile public trust, truth matters.
JEFF BOYLE Ormond Beach
Editor’s note: Mayor Jason Leslie was given a chance to respond. He wrote: “As the elected mayor of Ormond Beach, it is my fiduciary responsibility to review the city’s expenditures. While First Step is a great undertaking, one of great merit, it must not be overlooked that it hasn’t lived up to expectations, has been mired in controversy, and, in my opinion, the City of Ormond Beach has not received the expected value for the $80,000+ paid. The mere act of speaking about the shelter, in a perceived negative or positive manner, should not be taken as if decisions regarding my opinions have already been made. In fact, I supported the program by donating food. Without conversation, without ideas, and without sharing those ideas, we are left in a predicament of funding programs year after year without effective governance. I was elected by the people to serve and will continue to do so by asking questions, raising concerns, and listening to the community. I was also thanked by the First Step board members for the letter of continued support — being that I did sign the letter along with the commission and was the only representative from the city at the time of the meeting. You have been fixated on wording from a meeting that you didn’t even attend. If you had attended, you would know exactly what was said, and that the one major concern I mentioned was the timing of the contract. Mr. Boyle, thank you for your concern about our homelessness problem. Please call me — I am always available for further discussion. I think we can come to a better consensus by seeking common ground and solutions for a better city.”
Hang 8 — if you can! YOUR TOWN
Palm Coast’s Nina Guiglotto receives third highest International Lions Clubs honor
Palm Coast Lions Club member Nina Guiglotto received the International President’s Leadership Award, the
TThe fourth Hang 8 Dog Surfing Extravaganza was held on Saturday, May 17, in Flagler Beach. The event — which benefitted K9’s for Warriors, Flagler Humane Society, and S.M.A.R.T. of Flagler County — featured a dog surfing contest, dog costume contest, surf sessions for dogs and vendors.
third highest honor in Lionism, on May 3 at the Lions Clubs Multiple District 35 Convention in Orlando.
“The award acknowledges individuals who have made a significant impact through visionary leadership, tireless service and an unwavering commitment to the Lions’ global mission: to serve and uplift communities through volunteerism and compassion,” a Lions Club press release stated.
“I am deeply humbled and honored to receive this recognition from Lions International,” Guiglotto said.
“This award is a reflection of the incredible people I’ve had the privilege of working with, and it inspires me to continue serving with integrity and compassion.
“When you’re a Lion, you serve and you do all you can all the time without thinking,” she said in a Facebook post. “I’m so grateful for becoming a member of the Palm Coast Lions Club three years ago. It has changed my life, and it’s taken my contributions to the next level. We care, they care and our community cares. Thank you, District Governor
Bob Armstrong for a wonderful year, and for this nomination. I really appreciate you and all you’ve accomplished as well. Thank you!!”
The Lions Club press release said Guiglotto has spearheaded initiatives that address critical community needs including hunger relief, youth mentorship, community wellness and disaster response.
“Her leadership has been instrumental in building inclusive programs and empowering others to lead with heart and purpose,” the press release said.
A dog jumps off a surfboard during the fourth Hang 8 Dog Surfing Extravaganza. Photo courtesy of Stephen Matteo
Lily rides the waves. Photo by Hannah Hodge
Puppy gets all the attention. Photo by Hannah Hodge
Photo courtesy of Stephen Matteo
Cinnamon smiles at the camera. Photo by Hannah Hodge
Everett Brunk and Andy Brunk watch the competition. Photo by Hannah Hodge
Nina Guiglotto received the Lions Clubs International President’s Leadership Award at the Multiple District 35 Lions Convention in Orlando. Courtesy photo
Photo courtesy of Stephen Matteo
LOCAL EVENTS
THURSDAY, MAY 22
BRANDON STANLEY POPUP PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT
When: 5-8 p.m.
Where: The Renaissance Daytona Beach Oceanfront Hotel, 640 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach
Details: Gallery500 is presenting a collaborative pop-up exhibition with local photographer Brandon Stanley, whose art is inspired by his life as a Daytona Beach lifeguard and artist. An artist Q&A; will begin at 7 p.m. Free and open to the public.
‘ALADDIN JR.’
When: 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 22, and Friday, May 23
Where: Matanzas High School Pirate Theater, 3535 Pirate Nation Way, Palm Coast Details: Indian Trails Middle School theater students will perform “Aladdin Jr.” Tickets are $10. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. For more information, contact ITMS Theater/Chorus Director Kassy Pierre Louis at pierrelouisk@flaglerschools. com or call 386-338-8195.
FRIDAY, MAY 23
TURTLE TALK
When: 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Where: Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreational Area, 3100 S. Oceanshore Blvd., Flagler Beach
Details: Learn about the role sea turtles play in Florida and how your actions can help preserve these animals for generations. All ages welcome. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. Park entry fee applies.
Saturday, May 24
FOURTH ANNUAL CAR SHOW
When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Craig Flagler Palms Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens, 511 Old Kings Road South, Flagler Beach
Details: Attend this free, family-friendly event featuring a morning of classic cars and a cause, as proceeds will benefit Wreaths Across America. There will be free ice cream and lunch. A $10 donation is encouraged for car show participants. Admission is free for spectators. Visit https://www.facebook.com/ share/1BCXKxHPje.
ARTS AND CRAFTS WALK
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Beach Front Grille, 2444 S. Ocean Shore Blvd. Flagler Beach
Details: See over 20 vendors and enjoy live music at this free monthly event.
COMMUNITY HOT DOG DAY
When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Flagler Beach United Methodist Church, 1520 S. Daytona Ave., Flagler Beach
Details: The Flagler Beach United Methodist Church is hosting a Community Hot Dog Day. Stop on by for a free hotdog, chips and a drink.
STAINED GLASS FOR BEGINNERS
When: 1-4 p.m.
Where: Art League of Daytona Beach, 433 S. Palmetto Ave., Daytona Beach
Details: This is the first of a three-week class series with instructor Peter Berman. The other two classes will be held on May 31 and June 7. Visit artleague.org.
POOL SAFETY DAY
When: 1-4 p.m.
Where: Palm Coast Aquatics Center, 339 Parkview Drive, Palm Coast
Details: Learn how to be safe through pool games, mini swimming lessons, and hands-on demonstrations.
Families will learn the steps for basic first aid, CPR, water rescues and more. Event costs $2 per adult and $1 for youth 17 and under and senior citizens.
MONDAY, MAY 26
PALM COAST MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY
When: 8 a.m.
Where: Heroes Memorial Park, 2860 Palm Coast Parkway NW, Palm Coast
Details: The city of Palm Coast is hosting a Memorial Day Ceremony to remember the men and women who gave their lives in service to the U.S. military. New this year is a chance for locals to hear their hero’s name spoken in remembrance during the ceremony. Submissions can be made by visiting palmcoast. gov/events and clicking on the Memorial Day Ceremony icon. The event will feature presentations, remarks and a ceremonial wreath presentation. After the ceremony, attendees can participate in the Honor Walk, a procession around Heroes Memorial Park.
FLAGLER COUNTY
MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY
When: 10 a.m.
Where: Government Services Building, 1769 E. Moody Blvd., Bunnell
Details: Featuring Congressman Randy Fine and special guest speaker retired United States Navy Chaplain Mark J. Schreiber.
“Flagler County has a very strong community of veterans,” said Veterans Service Officer David Lydon. “It is a privilege and an honor to have a distinguished veteran like Chaplain Mark Schreiber help us pay tribute to those who lost their lives in service to our country.”
Schreiber is the author of two books: “Nailed! Moral Injury: A Response from the Cross of Christ for the Combat Veteran,” and “One Ordinary Life – Extraordinary Grace.”
He graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana, with a Master of Divinity degree in 1977 as an ordained Lutheran minister. He was commissioned as a Naval Officer in May of 1980 and served continuously on active and reserve duty for 25 years retiring at the rank of Captain in 2005.
He continues to minister and serves as a volunteer with the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 86 in Palm Coast.
VFW POST 8696 BBQ
PICNIC
When: 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Where: VFW Post 8696, 47 Old Kings Road, Palm Coast
Details: Celebrate Memorial Day with VFW Post 8696 with a ceremony, a barbecue and raffles. Call 386-446-8696 for more information.
THURSDAY, MAY 29
PALM COAST CONCERT SERIES
When: 6-8 p.m.
Where: The Stage at Town Center, 1500 Central Ave., Palm Coast
Details: The Palm Coast Concert Series is back, and Chillula will kick off the free community event. There will be live music, food trucks, vendors, yard games, and beer and wine. Bring a chair. This concert will also featuure the “Biz & Brews” pop-up event.
For more, or to submit a nonprofit event, visit observer localnews.com/calendar.
YOUR TOWN
Little Free Library open at Matanzas
Matanzas High School held a ribbon cutting on Wednesday, May 14, for a Little Free Library installed directly outside of the front gate of the school giving students and the community access.
“People are encouraged to take books they enjoy and leave books they’re finished with for others to enjoy,” Matanzas reading teacher Ashley Allen said. There are over 200,000 Little Free Libraries worldwide. The newest one at Matanzas High is the 10th active Little Free Library in Flagler County.
Flagler Beach continues 100-year celebration with ice cream, dinner
The City of Flagler Beach will continue its year-long Centennial Celebration on Saturday, May 24, with a free ice cream social at the Flagler Woman’s Club (1524 S. Central Avenue, Flagler Beach) from 2 to 4 p.m. The Flagler Woman’s Club (https://flaglerwomansclub.org) is a charitable organization with a commitment to serve the Flagler community.
The June Centennial Celebration is a Community Dinner at Veterans Park. Over a dozen local restaurants have offered unique entrees to select and enjoy with fellow residents and visitors. The participating restaurants are A1A Burrito Works Taco Shop, Barnhill’s Café, Bar & Grill, Beachside Gyros, Break-Awayz, Cajun Beach, Crave’s Coastal Kitchen and Cocktails, FARO Beachside Eatery, Funky Pelican, Next Door Beach Bistro, Oceanside Beach Bar & Grill, Pierogi Shop, Romero’s Tuscany by the Sea, The Golden Lion Café, Tortuga’s Florida Kitchen & Bar, and Whaam Burger.
Seating for dinner will begin at 5 p.m. and dinner served at approximately 6. Large tents will provide cover from sun and rain. Ticket sales are limited to 300 participants (nearly 200 have been sold at this time) and all tickets must be purchased by Friday, May 23 so that participating restaurants have ample notice to plan for the event.
Future Centennial events include the Fourth of July Parade/First Friday, an historical scavenger hunt, a cardboard boat regatta, scarecrow building, a return of the downtown bed races, a gala dinner, and the grand finale of the Centennial on New Year’s Eve with the Surfboard Drop and Fireworks.
Flagler Free Clinic earns Gold Rating
The Flagler Free Clinic has earned a 2025 Gold Rating from the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics’ (NAFC) Quality Standards Program. This achievement reflects the clinic’s ongoing commitment to delivering high-quality, accessible healthcare to uninsured individuals in Flagler and Volusia counties.
Tickets for the dinner are $40 (plus a ticket surcharge) and may be purchased through Eventbrite (a scannable QR code for tickets can be found at www.cityof flaglerbeach.com/348/ Flagler-Beach-Celebrates-itsCentennial.)
Student winners announced in Crime Stoppers contest
Flagler Schools announced the district winners of the Crime Stoppers Student Poster Contest, sponsored by the 7th Judicial Circuit. Elementary, middle school and high school students from the four school districts in the circuit — Flagler Voluisa, St. Johns and Putnam — participate in the annual contest, which is an effort to get “See it, Say it, Stop it” posters in schools to let students know that if they witness violence, bullying or negative attitudes toward others, they can report it anonymously with a call or text.
The Flagler elementary school winners were: Ekaterina Shabalina, Wadsworth (first place); Madeline Barnes, Wadsworth (second place); and Mya Bowyer, Old Kings (third place).
Indian Trails swept the middle school level in the district competition with Mekila McDonald winning first place, Arthur Lima second place and Declan Athearn third place. On the high school level, David Ours of Flagler Palm Coast placed first, Marium Sabuk of FPC placed second and Aaron Perry of Matanzas placed third.
Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the clinic provides over $2 million in medical and dental services annually thanks to the generosity of donors, volunteers and community partners. To mark this milestone, the clinic will host a Charity Golf Tournament on Oct. 6, Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa. For details on volunteering, attending, or sponsoring the event, contact Terri Belletto at 386-437-3091 or tbelletto@flaglerfreeclinic.org.
MEET THE HUMANE SOCIETY’S ADOPTABLE PETS
The Flagler Humane Society is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1 Shelter Drive in Palm Coast. Adoption fees vary based on the animal, and the shelter has both dogs and cats up for adoption. Contact FHS at 386-445-1814 or visit flaglerhumanesociety. org. Piper,
Matanzas High School recently held a ribbon cutting for its Little Free Library. Courtesy photo
Fett is a 3.5-yearold terrier
Meet Captain, an 8-year-old grey and white cat.
YOUR SCHOOLS
Paige Civil an inspiration as Matanzas High School’s Turn Around Senior
After getting sent home for the final quarter of her junior year, Civil has become a model student.
BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Paige Civil had been involved in fights before. But the fight she got into in March of 2024 was the last straw. Civil, then a junior at Matanzas High School, was suspended for the rest of the school year. Finishing her junior year in Florida Virtual School, she used the time to reassess her life and the direction she was headed.
“It was a struggle. I was looking forward to ending my first year at Matanzas with the people I bonded with,” said Civil, who had moved from Jacksonville. “But I had to realize I brought it on myself, so I had to struggle my way out of that position, and I didn’t want to be there any-
CLASS NOTES
Matanzas High School’s 2025 wall of fame honorees unveiled
Matanzas High School unveiled the 2025 Wall of Fame class on May 16. The Wall of Fame honors four students who have made a major impact during their four years at Matanzas. The honorees are Landon Smith with the Citizenship Award, Violet Ochrietor with the Principal’s Award, Paige Duckworth with the Pirate Award and Leah Stevens with the Scholarship Award. Their pictures will be displayed on the Wall of Fame in the main office for the next year.
Mitchell, Mills earn scholarships from the Nehemiah Gilyard Foundation
Flagler Palm Coast High School athletes Mariah Mills and Marcus Mitchell each received a $1,000 scholarship from the Nehemiah Gilyard Scholarship Foundation.
Nehemiah Gilyard, a former football player at FPC, died during his junior year in a single-car crash on County Road 302 on Feb. 14, 2021.
more. That’s why I wanted to change as a person.”
Civil is Matanzas High School’s 2025 Turn Around Senior. Since returning to school this year, she has been on the A/B honor roll for two quarters and earned straight A’s the other two quarters. She has participated in the African American Mentoring Program for Girls. During lunch period she volunteers in the front office, helping out however she can. She also helps other students.
“I’ve made a role like a big sister,” she said. “I feel like the underclassmen can talk to me and express themselves.”
Chris Reeder, Matanzas High School’s behavior interventionist, interviewed Civil in a video that will be shown at freshman orientation in August.
“I was constantly into fights,” she says in the video. “I was very disrespectful. I wasn’t making great grades. I always had an excuse why I didn’t want to do what I was told to do. (Starting from) my sixth grade
His family established the scholarship after community members offered to donate money for his funeral. The family decided instead to set up the scholarship foundation in his name. Mills and Mitchell each received a plaque that reads, “In honor of the Nehemiah Scholarship Foundation. In recognition of academic achievement and personal growth.”
Mitchell, a running back at FPC, is the school’s all-time leading rusher.
He will continue his football career at Missouri Valley College in Marshall,
year (I could have) prevented the situations I was in, the people I disrespected, the hearts that I broke. It really does take a village. I’ve had multiple villages behind me.”
She said she has been motivated by staff and faculty at school and family members, especially her Aunt Janet in Jacksonville.
“It just took a lot of challenges to see where I want to be as a person,” she said. “It feels like a weight is off my shoulders. I’m getting straight A’s or A/B honor roll, my GPA is high. I can come talk to staff members. They understand the route I want to go, and I’m able to take constructive criticism. Last year, I would snap. Now I realize they want nothing but the best for me.”
She plans to work two jobs over the summer and has talked to a recruiter about joining the National Guard, She is also considering the merchant marines. Her ultimate goal, she said, is to become the first billionaire in her family.
“I want to make money and save money,” she said. “I want to pay my dad’s mortgage, and I don’t ever want my parents to be in a nursing home.”
Missouri.
Mills, a home-school student, receives her associate degree with high honors from Daytona State College along with her high school diploma. She wrestled for three years at Matanzas High School and one year at FPC, winning a girls state championship as a junior with Matanzas and placing among the top three at the state tournament four years in a row. She also is a two-time national champ at the NHSCA High School Nationals. Mills will continue her wrestling career at West Liberty University, where her brother, Tyson Mills, will be joining her and will wrestle on the men’s team.
Volusia receives second national recognition for music education
For the second year in a row, Volusia County Schools has received the “Best Communities for Music Education” designation from The National Assocition of Music Merchants Foundation for its support and commitment to music education.
Now in its 26th year, the designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement for providing music access and education to all students, according to a press release. Two awards are given each year: “Best Communities for Music Education” for school districts and the Support Music Merit Award for individual school sites.
Over 1,000 districts and individual school sites, including private and religious, were recognized.
Superintendent Carmen Balgobin said in the press release: “Music’s impact on our health — emotional, physical, mental, social, and beyond — cannot be understated. We are fortunate to have outstanding music education programs all throughout VCS.”
VCS offers music education for students from elementary through high school. All elementary students receive general music instruction, and as students advance, they can explore programs like band, orchestra, chorus, piano, guitar, and music theory. Advanced options like AP music theory and IB music are also available.
Volusia students also regularly perform on national and international stages, including Carnegie Hall, the London New Year’s Day Parade, and Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Two Belle Terre Elementary students win design challenge
In celebration of National Bicycle Month, the Florida Department of Transportation and six Central Florida schools, including Belle Terre Elementary School, unveiled student-created bike safety symbol icons. This initiative is part of FDOT’s ongoing efforts to promote transportation safety and the Target Zero campaign’s goal of eliminating traffic-related fatalities and
A big reason for her downward spiral, Civil said, was social media. She got into disputes, sometimes defending her younger sister.
“I was like, if she’s going to go, I’m going to go. I just never knew the full stories behind every situation.”
Reeder said he plans to share Civil’s story with future students “who need a little inspiration to get back on track.”
“It has truly been a joy and a privilege to get to know Paige,” he said.
“She’s an incredible young woman with such a bright future ahead. I have no doubt she’s destined for amazing things.”
She is looking forward to walking across the stage at graduation on May 28. But she isn’t walking away from Matanzas.
“Of course I’m going to visit,” she said. “This will always be like home. I actually love it here, and I’m appreciative that they gave me the opportunity to be me as a person, and show them who I actually am.”
serious injuries in Florida. Last fall, FDOT collaborated with art teachers to engage students in designing their own bike safety symbols. Out of 99 submissions, winning designs were selected to be painted on local roads or sidewalks near the schools. Design contest student winners for Flagler County were Belle Terre Elementary’s Aubrey Engler, second grade; and Sean Nelson, fifth grade. Each student winner was recognized during a special bike lane artwork reveal event, which included a certificate presentation and a safety session led by FDOT and its community safety partners. Families and school staff joined to recognize the students’ creativity and commitment to safe cycling.
Paige Civil is Matanzas High School’s Turn Around Senior. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Violet Ochrietor
Paige Duckworth Leah Stevens was at a softball game and was unable to attend the unvailing
Belle Terre Elementary School fifth grader Sean Nelson (left) and second grader Aubrey Engler won the bicycle icon design competition. Courtesy of FDOT
Landon Smith
Seabreeze Red and White game highlights community and camaraderie
Head football coach Mike Klein used the event to showcase his players’ efforts and build relationships.
MICHELE MEYERS
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Seabreeze football coaches and players welcomed family, friends and the community to the annual Red and White spring scrimmage on Saturday, May 17, for a fun-filled day of football, hot dogs and friendship.
Head coach Mike Klein said the goal was to host a family event that would support the efforts of his players and showcase the work they have put into the program. He said it was an excellent opportunity for people to begin building a relationship with the Seabreeze family.
“For us to be a great team, we have to love one another as brothers,” he said. “We’re not always best friends … but we have to be able to love one another, care about one another and work with one another to reach our goals. For our program as a whole to be successful, we need our parents, our families, our community to be on that exact same page.”
Gary Yeomans Ford established a partnership with Seabreeze when Tucker Harris became the principal three years ago. They have been instrumental in supporting athletic and academic programs at the high school. Prior to the game, Harris presented the Volusia Partner of the Year award to assistant football coach Nello Faulk who accepted it on behalf of the dealership where he works as a finance manager.
Klein and his coaches ran the players through position specific drills
before starting the game. Junior quarterback Jayce Gainer and last year’s junior varsity quarterback Michael “Bear Hog” McDonough took turns passing to various receivers.
“Right now I think Gainer is ahead — he is slotted as our starter,” Klein said. “We have a great, young backup coming up behind him — Michael McDonough. He is showing a lot of potential. It is competitive. There are no spots that are given. There are no freebees out here. Everything is earned.”
The competition between players this year is great, Klein said.
“That’s the one thing that this year we have that I didn’t feel last year we had as much,” he said. “Across the board, offense and defense, in just about every position, we have great competition. That’s really a driving force. We say it all the time, ‘iron sharpens iron.’ That competition is making us better.”
Gainer has been a quarterback since his freshman year. He started playing football when he was 12 years old and previously played out-
side linebacker and safety. He said he likes his teammates who are always there to support him when he is not doing his best.
“Our team is getting a lot better — fixing a lot of mental errors, but we’re going to get there,” he said. “I’m training myself mentally to be prepared (for the spring game). I like being able to take agency and run the offense. I like my coach (Mike Klein)—he pushes me. He’s a good person and he wants all of us to do our best to succeed as men and as football players.”
Seabreeze will travel to Crescent City for a spring jamboree with University at 6 p.m. Friday, May 23. Last season, Seabreeze had 10 seniors and 31 underclassmen. Klein
“For us to be a great team, we have to love one another as brothers. We’re not always best friends … but we have to be able to love one another, care about one another and work with one another to reach our goals. For our program as a whole to be successful, we need our parents, our families, our community to be on that exact same page.”
MIKE KLEIN, Seabreeze head football coach
said the beauty of having a young team was the players who were not quite ready to play varsity got that experience early.
“That experience means a lot,” he said. “We have a lot of guys going into this year as seniors, juniors and sophomores who have already had a lot of varsity playing experience last year. That experience is a big reason why our leadership and focus have been so great because a lot of those guys went through the fire last year. Now we’re ready for the work.”
Klein has made some additions to the staff — secondary coach Zeke Adkins, offensive line coach Bob Bodine and offensive coordinator Matt Dickman. Bodine brings a plethora of Division 1 college experience. Dickman was the head coach at Harrison High School when it won the Class 6A state championship in Georgia.
“He is an offensive guru,” Klein said. “As a man, he is the kind of man that we want here to help build our young men and help lead in this community. We have a whole new offensive system. It’s a winning, proven system.”
For the Sandcrabs, off season
training started in the weight room in January. Klein said the players have been extremely focused on the task at hand and have gotten bigger, faster and stronger.
“Just really proud of the guys,” Klein said. “We’ve had a great off season. They are working hard together and pushing each other. Everything is very competitive. Practices are fast and fun and we’re having great improvements because of those things. As we wrap up spring, I hope the guys have a great showing in the spring jamboree when we go over to play Crescent City and University. ”
Matanzas falls 1-0 in thriller, ending best softball season in school history
Leah Stevens pitched a nohitter in her final high school game, but it wasn’t enough to knock off No. 1-ranked Niceville.
BRENT WORONOFF
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
The Matanzas softball team’s greatest season in school history ended Thursday night, May 15, with a heart wrenching 1-0 loss at Niceville in the Region 1-5A final.
“It was a tough loss, a really sad night,” Matanzas coach Sabrina Manhart said.
The Pirates finished their season with a 23-2 record after advancing to the regional final for the first time. The loss ended their 15-game winning streak.
Ranked No. 2 in Class 5A, Matanzas fell to the No. 1 team in yet another pitching duel. The Pirates scored three runs in their three playoff games and allowed just two.
University of Florida signee Leah
Stevens pitched her second nohitter in three games for Matanzas, but Niceville (21-6) scored the only run of the game in the bottom of the sixth inning on a throwing error. The Eagles advanced to the state semifinals on May 22 in Longwood.
“Our girls definitely had an amazing year,” Manhart said. “They’ve done something that no other team at Matanzas has done. They have a lot to hold their heads up high about.”
Stevens pitched six innings and allowed no hits and two walks. One of the walks was intentional. She
struck out nine batters. Niceville sophomore Chloe Bailey was just as good in the pitching circle allowing two hits on no walks over seven innings. Bailey struck out 13.
Stevens had a perfect game through five innings. She walked her first batter — No. 8 hitter Emma Sites — with one out in the sixth on a 3-2 count. Sites went to second on a passed ball. With two outs, the Pirates intentionally walked Briana Noles, the Eagles’ best hitter.
Stevens threw a two-strike changeup to Niceville’s next batter, a pitch that the Pirates thought was strike three and the end of the inning, but it was called a ball. With Sites and Noles running on the pitch, freshman catcher Mary Grace Seward threw to third to try to get the lead runner. The ball got past shortstop Juliet Fogel, who relayed to her sister, third baseman Ruby Fogel, who tagged out Noles. But by that time, Sites had scored the go-ahead run.
Bailey closed out Niceville’s win in the seventh. Manhart said she believes the game was a battle between the two best pitchers and
the two best teams in Class 5A.
“That was a state championship game,” she said. “We were the No. 1 and 2 ranked teams and we had to play the regional final at their place. But our girls weren’t fazed by that. I’m proud of the way they travel.”
The Pirates are graduating just three seniors in Stevens, Juliet Fogel and Ashley Sampselle, so they will have an experienced core coming back next season, including rising senior leaders Mckenzie Manhart, Ruby Fogel and Addison Rio and three sophomores-to-be in catcher Seward, outfielder Camryn Williams and pitcher Trinity Wright, who all got the chance to contribute as freshmen.
“Mary Grace can say she caught the best pitcher in Florida and she handled that extremely well with literally the Grace that’s in her name,” Manhart said. “Camryn Williams is going to be huge leader for us in the future.” Wright, meanwhile, will likely take over the role of lead pitcher next year from Stevens, who will join the Gators after completing a high school career with out-of-this-world num-
bers. She finished this season with a 17-1 record, a 0.32 earned run average and 249 strikeouts in 108.2 innings pitched.
Stevens pitched three seasons — she did not pitch her sophomore year because she was on blood thinners to dissolve a blood clot. She finished her high school career with a 0.88 ERA and a 33-10 record. She allowed 82 hits and 67 walks and struck out 574 batters in 253.2 innings pitched.
“At Florida, she is going to have so many resources at her fingertips,” Manhart said. “We’re going to be blown away with how much she’s going to improve in the next few years. She has so much potential that she hasn’t even tapped into yet.”
As for the Pirates next year, Manhart expects to have another squad that will compete in the playoffs.
“I’ve never coached a team like this one, that loved each other so much and worked so hard for each other,” she said. “But we’re pretty fortunate. Our culture is in place. We’re going to continue to thrive.”
Leah Stevens pitching in a playoff game during her freshman season. File photo by Jake Montgomery
Seabreeze wide receiver Caiden Smith (14) dives for the ball.
Seabreeze quarterback Jayce Gainer launches a pass.
Seabreeze wide receiver and defensive back Zachary Voltaire (1) breaks free of the chaos while running drills.
FPC coach pleased with scrimmage
The Bulldogs will end spring practice with a game at Orlando Bishop Moore.
New Flagler Palm Coast football coach Patrick Turner was pleased with his players’ excitement and grasp of the schemes in the team’s Green and White scrimmage on Friday, May 16.
The Bulldogs have been practicing for just three weeks learning their new coach’s plays.
“They were excited. They were flying around on both sides of the football. The offensive players showed confidence in the scheme and knowledge of the plays. The defense was flying around. There were not a lot of penalties. There were a lot of positives,” Turner said. “I’m so happy with what I saw today.” Turner said there were good transitions by the offense, defense and special teams. He said the linebackers played at a high-level, specifically mentioning Josiah Hathaway and Caleb Shamblin and was impressed by the back side of the defense.
“The entire secondary was lights out. Michael London at jack linebacker was all over the field,” Turner added.
On offense, Turner said quarterback La’Darius Simmons and running back Darwin Harris did some good things. But he was especially excited about the offensive line, which returns starters Angel De Leon, Zach Farrell and Gavin Petty and other players who provided depth last year.
“They’re probably the strength of our team,” Turner said.
The Bulldogs did not keep score in the scrimmage which was only about an hour long on a hot evening. Fans brought packs of Gatorade and cases of water for the players as admission to the game.
The Bulldogs will end spring practice with a game at Orlando Bishop Moore on Friday, May 23, at 7 p.m.
SIDELINES
Cronk will miss ‘second’ sport
Two-time state shot put champ Colby Cronk might never have picked up the 12-pound iron ball if not for a suggestion when he was in eighth grade by Buddy Taylor Middle School assistant principal Stacia Collier.
Collier, now a Flagler Palm Coast assistant principal, told the budding football star that he should try shot put when he got to FPC.
“Her husband (Steve Collier) was the throws coach at the time,” Cronk said. “She said it was something to do between seasons. I’m happy I was introduced to it and I was able to compete in it.”
Cronk started the season late after recovering from shoulder surgery and needed his final throw on May 10 to win the Class 4A state title for the second straight year. He also repeated as the runnerup in Class 4A state discus. His out-of-bounds throw on his third shot put attempt
would have matched the Class 4A state record at 19.9 meters had it counted.
Getting the state record had been one of his goals in his final competition. Cronk has surpassed the mark in practice.
He now will become a one-sport athlete again. A defensive end who owns
FPC’s career school sacks record, is beginning his first college semester at North Carolina State University and
preparing for his freshman football season.
“I really like participating in both (sports),” he said. “The competition (track and field) is really fun. And I enjoy just being at practice every single day. Maybe if I earn my keep (on the football field), they’ll let me (join the Wolfpack’s track and field team). I really would like to keep it going because I love doing it.”
Ormond Lions deliver Athletes of the Month plaque to Seabreeze High
The Ormond Beach Lions Club presented Seabreeze High School athletic director Anthony Campanella with the composite plaque for the club’s 2024 Seabreeze Athletes of the Month. The plaque lists each winner of the month for the year. Plaques from the Lions’ last 10 years of Athletes of the Month are on display in the Seabreeze office.
Romero &
Quarterback La’Darius Simmons runs for a touchdown in FPC’s Green and White spring scrimmage.
JV quarterback Creed Smith runs with the ball in the Green and White scrimmage. Photos by Brent Woronoff
JV quarterback Bobby Starr throws a pass in the Green and White scrimmage.
FPC shot put and discus throwers Colby Cronk and Maya Tyson each won two medals in their final state meet. Photo by Brent Woronoff
BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Daniel Fish to coach new FBCA football team
First Baptist Christian Academy announced it is launching a varsity football program with former Flagler Palm Coast High School football coach Daniel Fish coaching the team. FBCA has not had a varsity football team since 2020 when it ended its eight-man football program. This fall, the plan is to play 11-man football in the Sunshine State Athletic Association. The school fielded a middle school football team last year competing against St. Johns County teams. Players attending other Flagler County middle schools were allowed to join FBCA’s team.
Consistency key to Pirates’ football staff
Several of Matanzas High School’s assistant football coaches have been with the program longer than head coach Matt Forrest. Three assistants are former Matanzas players.
Kyle Johnson and Shevon Patton are entering their ninth season as Matanzas assistants. Tim Sandersfield, who will be the assistant head coach this year, is entering his fourth season. They are all highly invested in the program.
“The head coach gets a lot of credit and blame,” Forrest said. “But the whole staff deserves credit. They develop the kids not only physically, but also spiritually and emotionally.”
Forrest is entering his sixth season with the Pirates. He is the program’s winningest coach. During that time he has promoted from within. Few assistant coaches have left the program during his tenure.
“We’ve had a lot of consistency on the staff,” Forrest said. “We’re not where we want to be yet as a program, but we’ve been competitive, and that’s a direct reflection of every single person involved in our program.”
One coach, Donny LaFleur, is leaving at the end of the school year to return home to Tennessee with his family and coach again at his former school.
“It’s pretty impressive,” Sandersfield said of the staff retention.
“(LaFleur) is the only coach who’s left since I’ve been here, and he’s going back because of family. We have a pretty tight-knit staff. We’re all very close, and that makes it
pretty special. I think consistency is good for the kids. We do a good job preaching family. They know we’re always going to be here. Stability is a big deal for the kids.”
When new coaches are brought on board they usually come with years of experience or they are former Matanzas players like Devin Mathews, Jarrett Patton and Bryce Petellat.
Nelson Pardo is in his second year with the team. He has over 40 years coaching experience. This year he will be the head JV coach. John Malone, Dell Arneaud and Palm Coast Fire Department Battalion Chief Tommy Ascone have joined the
program this year and will work with the JV team. Malone is new to the area and wanted to help out, Forrest said. He has over 20 years experience as a coach and game official.
Ascone and Arneaud both have extensive Pop Warner coaching experience in the community and are familiar with many of the players. Arneaud coached First Baptist Christian Academy’s middle school team last year. His son will be a freshman with the Pirates this fall.
“I was locked into coaching my middle school group, but I’ve always admired coach Forrest,” he said.
“At the end of the day, we always do right by the kids,” Forrest said.
Bucs encouraged by jamboree performance
Mainland High School played two of the top football teams in South Florida in the Palm Beach Garden Spring Jamboree on March 17. The Bucs lost both halves but came away encouraged heading into summer workouts.
The Bucs fell to Delray Beach Atlantic 7-6 and Southridge, 14-6. Southridge advanced to the Class 6A state final four last season, losing to eventual state champ West Boca Raton. Delray Beach Atlantic lost to eventual Class 5A state champ St. Thomas Aquinas in the regional final. Flagler Palm Coast transfer Braylyn Simmons scored the Bucs’ touchdown against Atlantic on a 4-yard run. in an inteview after the games with Central Florida Preps, Mainland coach Jerrime Bell said he liked what he saw coming off a rebuilding year, but the squad will have to learn how to finish, noting they had three chances to score inside the 6-yard line against Southridge.
“I wanted to play teams like this to see where we are, and I loved what I saw,” Bell said.
“Our guys competed.”
PUZZLED
Tim Sandersfield will be Matanzas’ assistant head coach this season. Photo by Brent Woronoff
BUSINESS OBSERVER
Dressed for success
Professional Women of Flagler County celebrates five years with annual Tea Party.
BRENT WORONOFF
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
The Professional Women of Flagler County celebrated its fifth anniversary with its second annual Tea Party on May 13 at the Conservatory at Hammock Beach in Palm Coast.
“We are thrilled to share that Professional Women of Flagler County celebrated a major milestone — five incredible years in business — with our second annual Tea Party,” PWFC President Vanessa Cole said. “Thanks to our wonderful community, this was a sold-out event filled with celebration, inspiration and purpose. This Tea Party is one of our most enjoyable fundraisers of the year.” Cole said the event raised over $5,000 for the PWFC’s signature initiative, the Go Girl Grant, a community
program that helps women in Flagler County expand their reach. Last year the PWFC helped 18 women with $30,000 in grants. The grants can be used for seminars, marketing, education, finance or technology, Cole said.
“This grant is designed to provide support and resources to local women pursuing education, training or career advancement,” she said.
Two of the 2024 Go Girl Grant recipients — Kay Click, owner of Furniture Facelifts & More; and Erica Flores, executive director of Vincent’s Clubhouse — spoke at the Tea Party.
Palm Coast Acting City Manager Lauren Johnston was the event’s keynote speaker, and Vice Mayor Theresa Pontieri read the Proclamation for Professional Women’s Day in the City of Palm Coast.
“(Johnston’s) heartfelt and empowering message truly resonated with all in attendance,” Cole said. For more information on the Professional Women of Flagler County, go to professionalwomenflagler.org
BIZ BUZZ
TERRANOVA’S CELEBRATES 30 YEARS IN FLAGLER
Terranova’s Restaurant and Pizzeria, 208 N. State St., Bunnell, is hosting its 30th anniversary party from Wednesday, May 21, through Saturday, May 24. The outdoor celebration will include live music from noon to 8 p.m. each day, outdoor cooking, games and a bounce house for the kids.
Frank Terranova Sr. opened Terranova’s in 1995 in Flagler Beach. It expanded with a second restaurant in Bunnell in 2006 and sold the original Flagler Beach location two years later. Terranova died in 2017. His son, Frankie Terranova, now runs the restaurant with other members of the family assisting in the business.
The menu hasn’t changed much over the past 30 years, Frankie Terranova said.
“We use the same sauce and pizza recipe my dad brought down from New Jersey when he had a pizzeria up there,” he said.
Terranova’s planned to have a 25th anniversary celebration but that was canceled due to the pandemic, so they decided to put on a four-day celebration for the 30th.
COMPLETE HEALTH STARTS FACILITY EXPANSION IN ORMOND BEACH
Compelte Health has begun an expansion project at its Ormond Beach East location at 77 W. Granada Blvd. in the downtown.
The expansion will add five new exam rooms, more provider offices and a larger wait-
ing room, according to a press release. The contractor for the project is Marshall B. Bone, Inc.
To commemorate the start of construction, key leaders and physicians took the first swings during demolition.
“This expansion is an exciting next step for our team and the community we serve,” said Dr. Brittany Jones, primary care physician at Complete Health, in the press release. “We’re creating space that reflects our commitment to patient-first care and a workplace where our team can thrive.”
Construction is expected to be completed this summer.
“This expansion is a testament to the trust our patients place in us and the dedication of our team,” said Jose Bermudez, newly appointed practice manager. “By adding more space and enhancing our facilities, we are ensuring that our commitment to exceptional, patient-centered care continues to grow along with our beautiful Ormond Beach community.”
Complete Health is privately owned and has eight locations across Volusia County specializing in senior-focused primary care. To learn more, visit CompleteHealth.com or call
386-677-0453 to schedule an appointment.
BACKWATER PROVISIONS OPENS NEW LOCATION IN ORMOND BEACH
Backwater Provisions, a new fishing apparel and outdoor lifestyle gear store, celebrated its grand opening in Ormond Beach on May 10. The store is located at 177 E. Granada Blvd., inside Granada Plaza on the beachside. It is the company’s second storefront, with its first being located in the Tampa area, in Safety Harbor.
“We’re excited to plant roots
in Ormond Beach, a place that embodies everything our brand stands for— salt air, local pride, and a passion for adventure,”
Tracie Cotto, Stephanie Ellis, Kelly Chapman, Dr. Erika Equizi, Vanessa Cole, Amy Dumas and Erica Flores. Courtesy photo
The Terranova family, at Terranova’s Restaurant and Pizzeria in Bunnell. Courtesy photo
Ormond Beach City Commissioner Lori Tolland, franchise owner Tony Puglia, Chamber of Commerce Vice Chair Michelle Tisdale, Backwater Provisions owner Darren Loscalzo and Ormond Beach City Commissioner Travis Sargent. Courtesy photos
REAL ESTATE
Flagler Beach home is county’s top sale
Ahouse at 2716 S. Ocean Shore Blvd., in Flagler Beach, was the top real estate transaction for May 3-9 in Palm Coast and Flagler County. The house sold on May 5, for $1,285,000. Built in 2000, the house is a 4/3 and has a pool, an outdoor kitchen and 2,611 square feet. It sold in 2015 for $615,000.
FLAGLER BEACH
Medow Subdivision
A house at 2568 S. Central Ave. sold on May 9, for $735,000. Built in 1997, the house is a 3/3 and has a pool and 1,806 square feet. It sold in 2018 for $430,000.
Seaside Landings
A house at 154 Seaside Point sold on May 9, for $1,125,000. Built in 2022, the house is a 3/2 and has a boat house, a boat lift, a dock, a fireplace, an outdoor kitchen and 2,014 square feet.
PALM COAST
Aspire at Palm Coast
sold on May 5, for $160,000. Built in 1975, the condo is a 2/2 and has 1,006 square feet. It sold in 2021 for $128,000.
A condo at 25 Lake Forest Place, sold on May 5, for $174,800. Built in 1989, the condo is a 2/1 and has 801 square feet. It sold in 2016 for $80,000.
A house at 30 Price Lane, Unit 33, sold on May 7, for $313,990. Built in 2025, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,353 square feet.
Cypress Knoll
A house at 34 Ellesworth Drive sold on May 9, for $530,000. Built in 2006, the house is a 4/2 and has a pool, a hot tub and 2,163 square feet. It sold in 2019 for $250,000.
Verona townhome tops sales list at over $1.2M
Atownhome at 15 Marden Drive in the new Verona subdivision in Ormond-by-the-Sea was the top real estate transaction in Ormond Beach and Ormond-by-the-Sea for the week of April 26 to May 2. The townhome sold on April 30, for $1,293,124. Built in 2024, the townhome is a 2/3.5 and has a private elevator and 2,289 square feet.
JARLEENE ALMENAS
MANAGING EDITOR
ORMOND BEACH
Halifax Plantation
The house at 2986 Arranmore Drive sold on April 28, for $575,000. Built in 2024, the house is a 4/3.5 and has 2,721 square feet.
Northbrook
The house at 911 Northbrook Drive sold on April 29, for $393,000. Built in 1979, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace, a pool, a 1/1 cottage, separate workshop and 2,214 square feet. It last sold in 2016 for $188,000.
Not in subdivision
The house at 115 John Anderson Drive sold on April 29, for $1,125,000. Built in 1964, the house is a 4/3.5 and has a fireplace, a pool, a spa and
4,162 square feet. It last sold in 2023 for $1,090,000.
Ormond Heights
The house at 345 Fir St. sold on April 29, for $310,000. Built in 1967, the house is a 4/3 and has 1,965 square feet. It last sold in 2012 for $52,000.
Park Ridge
The house at 8 Parkview Lane sold on April 28, for $324,999. Built in 1991, the house is a 3/2 and has a fireplace and 1,471 square feet. It last sold in 2006 for $205,000.
Tanglewood
The house at 340 Tulip Tree Lane sold on April 30, for $337,500. Built in 1971, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,485 square feet. It last sold in 2019 for $193,500.
27 Flemington Lane sold on May 9, for $500,000. Built in 1995, the house is a 3/3 and has a pool and 1,919 square feet. It sold in 2022 for $390,000.
A house at 36 Fulton Place sold on May 9, for $375,000. Built in 2004, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool, a hot tub and 1,878 square feet. It sold in 2004 for $45,000.
Pine Grove A house at 85 Pickering Drive sold on May 9, for $409,000. Built in 2006, the house is a 4/2.5 and has 2,911 square feet. It sold in 2006 for $287,000.
Sawmill Branch A house at 15 Summerwood Road North sold on May 9, for $398,990. Built in 2023, the house is a 4/3 and has 2,363 square feet.
A house at 47 Springwood Drive South sold on May 8, for $304,990. Built in 2024, the house is a 3/2 and has 1,714 square feet.
Toby Tobin, of gotoby.com, contributed to this report.
The Trails The house at 5 Crooked Tree Trail sold on April 28, for $525,000. Built in 1978, the house is a 4/3 and has a fireplace, a pool and 2,616 square feet. It last sold in 2006 for $365,000.
Tomoka Meadows The townhome at 17 Tomoka Meadows Blvd. sold on April 29, for $179,900. Built in 1980, the townhome is a 2/2.5 and has 1,434 square feet. It last sold in 2019 for $88,100.
Trails South Forty The townhome at 208 Saddle Creek Trail sold on April 29, for $240,000. Built in 1986, the townhome is a 2/2 and has a fireplace and 1,500 square feet. It last sold in 2014 for $130,000.
Whispering Oaks The house at 13 Fernery Trail sold on April 29, for $568,000. Built in 1989, the house is a 4/3 and has a fireplace, a pool and 2,901 square feet. It last sold in 2010 for $178,000.
ORMOND-BY-THE-SEA Windswept Estates The house at 3019 John Anderson Drive sold on April 30, for $400,000. Built in 1973, the house is a 3/2 and has a pool and 1,745 square feet. It last sold in 1983 for $90,000.
John Adams, of Adams, Cameron & Co. Realtors, contributed to this report.
PALM COAST
ORMOND BEACH
Housekeeping
Ana’s Personal housekeeping. One Time, Weekly, Or Monthly Service (PC) anapersonalcleaning@yahoo.com 386-868-9662
Estate Palm Coast Investors Alert
2 Side by Side Lots
Half Acre of Land. at 9 and 11 Pine Lark Lane.Low Taxes call 1-386-437-7058 my house phone.
Buy Cars, Trucks, Vans, SUVs, Classic Cars, Commercial vehicles and
Flagler County. Celena Mariano 386225-0487
FIRST INSERTION
PLAT THEREOF, AS RECORDED IN MAP BOOK 7, PAGES 12-16, OF
RECORDS OF FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA. A/K/A 8 BOYD PLACE PALM COAST FL 32137 Any person claiming an interest in the surplus from the sale, if any, other than the property owner as of the date of the Lis Pendens must file a claim before the Clerk reports the surplus as unclaimed. ATTENTION: PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
If you are a person with a disability who needs an accommodation in order to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact Court Administration, 125 E. Orange Ave., Ste. 300, Daytona Beach, FL 32114, 386-257-6096, within 2 days of your receipt of this notice. If you are hearing impaired, call 1-800955-8771; if you are voice impaired, call 1-800-955-8770. THIS IS NOT A COURT INFORMATION LINE. To file response please contact Flagler County Clerk of Court, 1769 E. Moody Blvd., Building 1, Bunnell, FL 32110, Tel: (386) 313-465; Fax: (386) 4371928. Dated this 29 day of April, 2025. ALBERTELLI LAW
P. O. Box 23028 Tampa, FL 33623 Tel: (813) 221-4743 Fax: (813) 221-9171 eService: servealaw@albertellilaw.com By: /s/ Lauren Heggestad Florida Bar #85039 Lauren Heggestad, Esq. IN/23-012481 May 22, 29, 2025 25-00135G
INSERTION NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING CITY OF BUNNELL, FLORIDA NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE CITY OF BUNNELL, FLORIDA will hold
a Public Hearing as authorized by law at 6:00 P.M. on the 3rd day of June 2025, for the purpose of hearing Ordinance 2025-XX (Application No. ZMA 2025-02), before the Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board, in the Chambers Meeting Room of the Flagler County Government Services Building (GSB) located at 1769 East Moody Blvd, Bunnell, Florida 32110. ORDINANCE 2025-XX AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BUNNELL, FLORIDA PROVIDING FOR THE REZONING OF CERTAIN REAL PROPERTY TOTALING 1.36± ACRES, BEARING PARCEL ID: 14-12-30-3750-000Q0-0011 LOCATED DIRECTLY AT THE END OF HIBISCUS AVENUE IN THE CITY OF BUNNELL LIMITS FROM “R-1, SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT” TO “L-1, LIGHT INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT”; PROVIDING FOR LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND INTENT; PROVIDING FOR THE TAKING OF IMPLEMENTING ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS; PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION OF MAPS BY REFERENCE; REPEALING ALL CONFLICTING ORDINANCES; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR NON-CODIFICATION AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE as may be legally permitted on the day of the meeting. Instructions on how to participate by electronic or other means, if legally permitted, would be found on the City of Bunnell’s website at www.bunnellcity.us on the homepage. The public is advised to check the City’s website for up-to-date information on any changes to the manner in which the meeting will be held and the location. The failure of a person to appear during said hearing and comment on or object to the Ordinance, either in person or in writing, might preclude the ability of such person to contest the Ordinance at a later date. A copy of all pertinent information to this Ordinance can be obtained at the office of the Bunnell Customer Service Office, 604 E. Moody Blvd. Unit 6, Bunnell, FL 32110. Persons with disabilities needing assistance to attend this proceeding should contact the Bunnell City Clerk at (386) 437-7500 x 5 at least 48-business hours prior to the meeting.
NOTICE: If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the Planning, Zoning, and Appeals Board on this matter a recording of the proceeding may be needed and for such purposes the person may need to ensure that a verbatim record is made which includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is based. (Section 286.0105, Florida Statutes)
FIRST INSERTION
SALE NOTICE Notice is hereby given that Fraser’s Storage, 1800 Old Moody Blvd, Bunnell, FL 32110 will sell the contents of the following self-storage units by public auction to satisfy their liens against these tenants, in accordance with the Florida Self-Storage Facility Act. The auction will take place at this location at 1:30 PM on Monday, June 5, 2025, or thereafter. Units are believed to contain household goods, unless otherwise listed Unit, Tenant, Contents 117 Daniels, Richard Misc Household Goods 119Harvey, Rhonda Household Goods 153 Mitchell, Shantel Household Goods 209 Johnston, Ronald Household Goods 225 Anderson, Flonnie Misc Household Goods 246 Moore, Tasha Household Goods 251 Mitchell, Shantel Household Goods 502 Mason, Kellie Pictures and Misc 1112 Wells, Joy Household Goods and Clothes 1122 Paris, Jenni Misc Household Goods 1128 Shearer, Pamela Household Goods 1218 Hudson, Maisy Misc Household Goods 1504 Bruce, Julia Household Goods and electronics Fraser’s Storage, 1800 Old Moody Blvd Bunnell, FL 32110. Phone: (386)437-2457. May 22/29 25-00136F
FIRST INSERTION NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR Flagler COUNTY, FLORIDA PROBATE DIVISION File No. 2025 CP 000289 Division 48 IN RE: ESTATE OF Francesco DeLuccia, a/k/a Frank DeLuccia Deceased.
The administration of the estate of Francesco DeLuccia, deceased, whose date of death was April 7th, 2025, is pending in the Circuit Court for Flagler County, Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is 1769 E Moody Boulevard, Bunnell, FL 32110.
The names and addresses of the personal representative and the personal representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate on whom a copy of this notice is required to be served must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE TIME OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM.
All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE.
The personal representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent’s death by the decedent or the decedent’s surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in ss. 732.216732.228, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by a creditor as specified under s. 732.2211, Florida Statutes. The written demand must be filed with the clerk.
ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN FLORIDA STATUTES SECTION 733.702 WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED.
The date of first publication of this notice is May 22, 2025. /s/ Laura Cuomo-Pietrosanti Laura Cuomo-Pietrosanti
P.O. Address: 161 Geymer Drive, Mahopac, NY 10541 /s/ Anthony Pietrosanti Anthony Pietrosanti
P.O. Address: 161 Geymer Drive, Mahopac, NY 10541
Personal Representative
LEONARD I. SINGER
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
Attorneys for Personal Representative 1860 FOREST HILL BOULEVARD SUITE 201 WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33406
Telephone: (561) 433-4200
By: /s/ Leonard I. Singer
LEONARD I. SINGER, ESQ.
Florida Bar No. 313939
Email Addresses: LisEsquire@aol.com May 22, 29, 2025 25-00138G
NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA File Number: 2025 CP 000253 Division: 48 IN RE: ESTATE OF SALVATORE A. CATENA, JR., a/k/a SALVATORE ANTHONY CATENA, Deceased. The administration of the Estate of SALVATORE A. CATENA, JR., deceased, whose date of death was November 2, 2024, is pending in the Circuit Court Flagler County, Florida, Probate Division, located at 769 Moody Blvd, Ste 1, Bunnell, Florida 32110. The names and addresses of the Personal Representative and the Personal Representative’s attorney are provided below. Deadline for Filing Claims: All creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against the decedent’s estate, on whom a copy of this notice is served, must file their claims with this court ON OR BEFORE THE LATER OF: 1. 3 months after the date of the first publication of this notice, or 2. 30 days after the date of service of a copy of this notice on them. The Personal Representative has no duty to discover whether any property held at the time of the decedent’s death by the decedent or the decedent’s surviving spouse is property to which the Florida Uniform Disposition of Community Property Rights at Death Act as described in Section 732.216732.228, Florida Statutes, applies, or may apply, unless a written demand is made by the surviving spouse or a beneficiary as specified under Section 732.2211, Florida
Statutes. All other creditors of the decedent and other persons having claims or demands against the decedent’s estate must file their claims with this court WITHIN 3 MONTHS after the date of the first publication of this notice.
Barred Claims: ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN SECTION 733.702, FLORIDA STATUTES, WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. This notice is published in accordance with the provisions of the Florida Probate Rules and Florida Statutes Section 733.2121. The date of first publication of this notice is May 22, 2025. Signed on this 13th day of May, 2025. MICHAEL JOSEPH CATENA, Personal Representative 70 Chestnut Street, Belleville, New Jersey 07109 CORONADO LAW GROUP, PLLC s Kenneth Bohannon, Esq Kenneth Bohannon, Esquire Florida Bar #0027500
FIRST INSERTION NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING CITY OF BUNNELL, FLORIDA
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT THE CITY OF BUNNELL, FLORIDA will hold
a Public Hearing as authorized by law at 6:00 P.M. on the 3rd day of June 2025, for the
purpose of hearing a variance to increase the maximum allowable impervious area within the B-1 zoning district (Application No. VAR 2025-02), before the Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board, in the Chambers Meeting Room of the Flagler County Government Services Building (GSB) located at 1769 East Moody Blvd, Bunnell, Florida 32110. VAR 2025-02
REQUESTING A VARIANCE FROM SECTION 34-117(e)(5) IN THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE TO INCREASE THE MAXIMUM IMPERVIOUS COVERAGE FROM 60% TO 71% WITHIN THE B-1
ZONING DISTRICT, LOCATED AT 508 NORTH STATE STREET.
ALL INTERESTED PERSONS ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE as may be legally permitted on the day of the meeting. Instructions on how to participate by electronic or other means, if legally permitted, would be found on the City of Bunnell’s website at www.bunnellcity.us on the homepage. The public is advised to check the City’s website for up-to-date information on any changes to the manner in which the meeting will be held and the location. The failure of a person to appear during said hearing and comment on or object to the variance, either in person or in writing, might preclude the ability of such person to contest the variance at a later date. A copy of all pertinent information to this variance can be obtained at the office of the Bunnell Customer Service Office, 604 E. Moody Blvd. Unit 6, Bunnell, FL 32110. Persons with disabilities needing assistance to attend this proceeding should contact the Bunnell City Clerk at (386) 437-7500 x 5 at least 48-business hours prior to the meeting.
NOTICE: If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the Planning, Zoning, and Appeals Board on this matter a recording of the proceeding may be needed and for such purposes the person may need to ensure that a verbatim record is made which includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is based. (Section 286.0105, Florida Statutes)
SHELLPOINT MORTGAGE SERVICING, Plaintiff, and ESTATE OF MARIAN HOWELL A/K/A
MARIAN Y. HOWELL, DECEASED; UNKNOWN HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, CREDITORS, LIENORS, TRUSTEES OF MARIAN HOWELL A/K/A MARIAN Y. HOWELL, DECEASED; UNKNOWN SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE OF MARIAN Y. HOWELL REVOCABLE TRUST U/A/D AUGUST 27, 2018; CHARLES DAMON HOWELL; REGINA E. HOWELL; ALL OTHER UNKNOWN PARTIES, including, if a named defendant is deceased, the personal representatives, the surviving spouse, heirs, devisees, grantees, creditors, and all other parties claiming, by, through, under or against that defendant, and all claimants, persons or parties, natural or corporate, or whose exact legal status is unknown, claiming under any of the above named or described defendants, are Defendants. TOM BEXLEY, The Clerk of the Circuit Court, will sell to the highest bidder for cash,
PALM COAST
PARK AT PALM COAST, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF, AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 13, PAGE 1, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA. If you are a person claiming a right to funds remaining after the sale, you must file a claim with the clerk before the clerk reports the surplus as unclaimed. If you fail to file a timely claim you will not be entitled to any remaining funds. After the funds are reported as unclaimed, only the owner of record as of the date of the Lis Pendens may claim the surplus. REQUESTS FOR ACCOMMODATIONS BY PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES If you are a person with a disability who needs an accommodation in order to participate in this proceeding, you are entitled, at no cost to you, to the provision of certain assistance. Please contact Court Administration, 101 N. Alabama Ave., Ste. D-305, DeLand, FL 32724, (386)2576096, at least 7 days before your scheduled court appearance, or immediately upon receiving this notification if the time before the appearance is less than 7 days; if you are hearing or voice impaired, call 711. THESE ARE NOT COURT INFORMATION NUMBERS. SOLICITUD DE ADAPTACIONES PARA PERSONAS CON DISCAPACID-
ADES Si usted es una persona con discapacidad que necesita una adaptación para poder participar en este procedimiento, usted tiene el derecho a que se le proporcione cierta asistencia, sin incurrir en gastos. Comuníquese con la Oficina de Administración Judicial (Court Administración), 101 N. Alabama Ave., Ste. D-305, DeLand, FL 32724, (386) 257-6096, con no menos de 7 días de antelación de su cita de comparecencia ante el juez, o de inmediato al recibir esta notificación si la cita de comparecencia está dentro de un plazo menos de 7 días; si usted tiene una discapacidad del habla o del oído, llame al 711. ESTOS NUMEROS TELEFONICOS NO SON PARA OBTENER INFORMACION JUDICIAL.
Dated: May 7, 2025 /s/ Brian L. Rosaler By: Brian L. Rosaler Florida Bar No.: 0174882. Attorney for Plaintiff: Brian L. Rosaler, Esquire Popkin & Rosaler, P.A. 1701West Hillsboro Boulevard Suite 400 Deerfield Beach, FL 33442
Telephone: (954) 360-9030
Facsimile: (954) 420-5187 24-51545 May 15, 22, 2025 25-00129G
SECOND INSERTION
NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE (NO CHILD OR FINANCIAL SUPPORT) IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 7th JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR Flagler COUNTY, FLORIDA Case No.: 2025 DR 000198 Division: 47 Carlos Luis Aviles Dorta, Petitioner, and Kirenia Mayelin Madrigal Diaz, Respondent, TO: Kirenia Mayelin Madrigal Diaz YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action for dissolution of marriage has been filed against you and that you are required to serve a copy of your written defenses, if any, to it on Carlos Luis Aviles Dorta, whose address is 10 A Pine Hill Lane Palm Coast, FL 32164 on or before 4/10/25, and file the original with the clerk of this Court at 1769 E MOODY BLVD, BLDG #1, BUNNELL, FL, 32110 before service on Petitioner or immediately thereafter. If you fail to do so, a default may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the petition. This action is asking the court to decide how the following real or personal property should be divided: Copies of all court documents in this case,
Florida, Probate Division, the address of which is Kim C. Hammond Justice Center, 1769 E. Moody Blvd, Bldg. 1, Bunnell, Florida 32110. The name and address of the Personal Representative and the Personal Representative’s attorney are set forth below. All creditors of the Decedent and other persons having claims or demands against the Decedent’s Estate on whom a copy of this Notice is required to be served must file their claims with this Court WITHIN THE LATER OF 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE OR 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF SERVICE OF A COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON THEM. All other creditors of Decedent and other persons having claims or demands against Decedent’s Estate must file their claims with this Court WITHIN 3 MONTHS AFTER THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. ALL CLAIMS NOT FILED WITHIN THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH IN SECION 733.702 OF THE FLORIDA STATUTES WILL BE FOREVER BARRED. NOTWITHSTANDING THE TIME PERIODS SET FORTH ABOVE, ANY CLAIM FILED TWO (2) YEARS OR MORE AFTER THE DECEDENT’S DATE OF DEATH IS BARRED. Gina Easterday, Personal Representative, 381 Ann Street, Phillipsburg, NJ, 08865 The first publication of this notice is May 15, 2025. /s/ Stacy Geiger STACY GEIGER, ESQ. Florida Bar Number: 0015711 Geiger Law, PLLC Post Office Box 352951 Palm Coast, FL 32135 (386) 264-6937 telephone Attorney for Personal Representative stacygeigeresq@yahoo.com andreaburnsesq@gmail.com May 15, 22, 2025 25-00132G
NOTICE OF ACTIONCONSTRUCTIVE SERVICE IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR FLAGLER COUNTY, FLORIDA GENERAL JURISDICTION DIVISION CASE NO. 2025 CA 000076
PHH MORTGAGE CORPORATION, Plaintiff, vs. CONSTANT C. VAN HOEVEN, AS SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE OF THE LIVING TRUST AGREEMENT OF CORNELIS C. FRANK AND CATHARINA F. FRANK, DATED FEBRUARY 22, 1993, et al. Defendant(s). TO: CONSTANT C. VAN HOEVEN, AS SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE OF THE LIVING TRUST AGREEMENT OF CORNELIS C. FRANK AND CATHARINA F. FRANK, DATED FEBRUARY 22, 1993, whose residence is unknown if he/she/they be
